Recent posts for Aran Nulty

Digital Zoo: The effects of mentoring on young engineers

Nulty, A., & Shaffer, D. W. (2008). Digital Zoo: The effects of mentoring on young engineers. Paper to be presented at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences (ICLS), Utrecht, Netherlands.

http://epistemicgames.org/cv/papers/Hatfield_Shaffer_ICLS_08.pdf

Federation of American Scientists

I recently came across an article [link removed by source] by Ben Feller, an Associated Press education writer, who reports that the Federation of American Scientists recently declared that “video games can redefine education.” What caught my eye in this article was federation president Henry Kelly’s point that what is needed is “research into which features of games are most important for learning’ and how to test students on the skills they learn in games.” I am thrilled to be part of this kind of research. As for the second part of Kelly’s statement, what is interesting to me is that in epistemic games, the skill-testing happens within the structure of the game. Students cannot continue to fulfill their role successfully without acquiring the skills and knowledge that the game demands, therefore, assessment is not a seperate concern, but one we take seriously as an incorporated element in the game’s creation.