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Developing computer games for learning challenges IU
education professor
Nov. 6, 2001
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Developing computer games for learning that have the
mass appeal of those popular for entertainment is a challenge faced every day by
Indiana University faculty member Robert Appelman of the School of Education.
The clinical associate professor manages a popular course in the Department
of Instructional Systems Technology (IST) on the impact of games and simulations
in instruction. The class is taught by Adjunct Professor Joanne Henning.
"Game learning is different from game play, and our goal is training IST
students to design games that are authentic and foster learning," Appelman
explained. "This is all about attention and learning." He said the challenge for
his students is to try to make the learning games as interesting as the
entertainment games.
"The computer game and simulation field today is a multi-billion dollar
industry with very sophisticated technological support," he said. Evidence of
this is the recreation of historic battles such as Waterloo and Gettysburg in a
computer game format. Even the outcomes can be altered from historic reality to
help sell the games, much as movies frequently deviate from what actually
happened. "I would certainly rather have this type of game be authentic, but the
developers don't always have this option if they want to sell the product,"
Appelman said.
Using the analogy of an architect and a building, he said he wants the
students to design the learning experience that takes place in a virtual
environment, but not be responsible for actually building the games. "To achieve
this, our students have to understand what is going on in the computer game
industry, so we spend a considerable amount of time studying this business," he
said.
The IST Department at IU is the oldest and largest in the country. The l50
graduate students are highly selected, as only 60 percent of those who apply are
admitted.
For more information, contact Appelman at 812-856-8456 or appelman@indiana.edu.
(Richard Doty, 812-855-0084, rgdoty@indiana.edu)