I loved games as a child (still do), especially those on the NES, but most failed to capture my interest on an emotional level. The first game I remember stopping me in my admittedly child-sized tracks was Secret of Monkey Island. I, then, was likely 6 or 7. I stumbled upon it on an old computer in a friend’s garage.
I was amazed that a game like this could exist. I understood stories as things in books my parents would read to me, that I could watch on TV, or in a theatre; my part to play was passive.
Something changed when I played Monkey Island.
Not only did I feel like I was in the story, I felt like I was the protagonist; I felt like I had agency.
This feeling stuck with me and later lead to an interest in game-based learning and allowing students to have agency in their learning activities, whether it’s through games like Garry’s Mod or Minecraft to teach tricky concepts, or using Twine to create choose-your-own-adventure games.
I question now what other digital technologies exist out there just waiting for me to stumble upon them, which could impact me, and my future students, in pleasantly unexpected ways.
-Scott
I must say that I have had similar experiences with games including Metroid and Final Fantasy; although, I knew in the back of my head that there were only a pre-determined number of endings. Sometimes I wonder if AI will get so complex that it could dynamically write narrative driven games that react to users in real-time and result in an infinite number of endings.
Fascinating idea. And I bet they will.
I was so young at the time that I did not think about the number of pre-defined endings… maybe that added to the magic. Now, of course, I think about that sort of thing all the time.
HI Scott,
For me it was Warcraft. I liked how there was a goal that I had to achive but so many different ways to do it. I remember the game changer was when I learned that I could multi-select characters to perform tasks simultaneously. All of a sudden I was able to accomplish the same things but so much quicker.
I still LOVE to learn that one or two tips that makes working in a platform/tool/game that much easier. I started learning adobe muse this afternoon and I KNOW there is a trick to understanding the spatial awareness between objects on a page but I can’t for the life of me figure it out or find it on the web…I am REALLY looking forward to that aha moment!
If you figure it out, lemme know!!
Great post Scott!
I love the fact that your own experiences with learning through gaming led you to seek opportunities for your kids to do the same. Certainly, game-based learning has positive effects on learning and I have seen this up close. The quality of the games available for such purposes is improving and there is no doubt one can achieve high levels of engagement from the students.
In my own school we have dove head first into programming at the elementary to highschool level. We have found some amazing results in terms of teaching STEM in a way that is challenging, engaging and most importantly; student centred.
Love that idea! Got any great websites/resources you could forward my way?
Hello Scott,
Indeed, there are now many more entertainment options. Game based-learning provides a new platform for students to independently explore learning concepts. My students enjoy learning how to code via building simple games like Flappy bird (i.e. https://studio.code.org/flappy/1).
Sincerely,
Alice
Coding definitely seems like a naturla extension of the affordances of the classic educational games from the 80’s and 90’s. I’ve done a few projects on that actually!
Such a fascinating world we live in!
Although I’ve never of that particular it sounds like fun and I LOVE choose your own adventure games, like those found online at TextAdventures! I’ve never used Twine though…
Maybe I am aging myself…but I remember going with friends on the streetcar from Kits to the arcade on Granville Stree in Vancouver.
Christopher
Wow, that place looks awesome! I had a great arcade in my hometown in Newfoundland but it didn’t have such a cool facade… it was inside a mall 🙁
If you’re an arcade fan though I recommend you watch the 2007 documentary “The King of King”. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!