Productive Joint Media Engagement in Environmental Science Gaming

11,161 Comments

Our readings this week focus on the design of instructional media (including games) in both formal and informal settings.  In my response this time around, I want to move away from questions that I think need discussion to a really linking  two of our readings.  To get to where I’m eventually heading here, I want to talk a little bit about the design guide in the Takeuchi and Stevens (2011) reading and how their idea of productive joint media engagement (JME) fits into the reading on Futura (Antle, Bevans, Tanenbaum, Seaborn, & Wang, 2010).

Productive Joint Media Engagement in Futura

The Takeuchi and Stevens (2011) report is actually a very fun read, and they do a great job of setting out their design principles.  Underlying their whole argument (and design guide) is an argument that I think we can all take to heart: it’s not the tool, but how we use it that determines “goodness.”  Similarly, no research finding or new development inherently has any morality or “effectiveness,” it is entirely down to our use.  Now that my high horse has been moved out of the way, we can move on.

What I really want to focus on here is how the guidelines Takeuchi and Stevens put forth apply to the Futura game (discussed in Antle, Bevans, Tanenbaum, Seaborn, & Wang, 2010).  Futura is, based on the authors’ description, a great foray into environmental science gaming.  Using the design guide, we can get a better of idea of how it fits into the JME paradigm.  Personally, I prefer the six conditions presented, rather than the seven principles, particularly since Futura does not need to focus on children.  Those six are: mutual engagement, dialogic inquiry, co-creation, boundary crossing, intention to develop, and a focus on content instead of control.

Futura clearly meets the first two conditions, as players must work together and communicate about problems they are facing in the game.  Communication was especially strong with friend or family groups, which is encouraging for home-based learning especially.  The game does not involve producing artifacts, but players do develop common understandings of group functioning and game dynamics as they work together.  Although there is no discussion of boundary crossing per se, we do see discussion of replay value.  Presumably, learners would be engaged over time with this game, playing it with friends when they could.  An online version could include long-distance multiplayer, adding in a new dynamic and an even greater need for strong communication.  The intention to develop skills and understanding is definitely available in the game, and could be incorporated in a class through “experts” collaborating with new players.  Finally, the focus on content instead of control.  This is the one area where I really saw a flaw in Futura (rather than just an area that wasn’t discussed).  In the article describing its implementation, the authors noted that a number of players struggled with the touch screen functionality.  In fact, players occasionally were distracted from the game by the difficulty they were having performing an action.  This is an area that could use work, and one option is to use a mouse-based (or other external controller) system rather than touch.  Another possible solution (based on the authors’ description) could simply be ensuring the game is played inside, away from bright sunlight.  Overall, though, Futura seems solid based on the productive JME criteria presented by Takeuchi and Stevens (2011).

Going forward, I would certainly hope for a setup that would allow external inputs other than touch, particularly when the display could be on the move.  An expansion to include distant players would also be a great option, and would allow for more large-scale collaboration and even a strong online community (not that such communities require a game to be online).  In the classroom (or other formal learning environment) it might also be useful to bring in “experts” to help novices.  These could be experts in environmental management, or simply in the gameplay.  Another change I would make (again, based on the authors’ description of the game) is including more in the way of instruction for players.  Many players seemed unsure of how the game worked (much as the tablet-based group was when we played Pandemic), and some sort of introduction to the rules (especially an active-play tutorial like in Plants vs. Zombies) would be helpful.

 

11,161 thoughts on “Productive Joint Media Engagement in Environmental Science Gaming”

  15. [url=http://cialisextr.com/]cialis levitra viagra[/url] [url=http://xviagrahot.com/]price of viagra 2018[/url] [url=http://cialisstep.com/]generic tadalafil cheap[/url] [url=http://startpills.com/]lisinopril brand name in usa[/url] [url=http://doviagra.com/]sildenafil otc europe[/url]

    Reply

  148. adult film,adult movie,adult video,anal,ass,bara,barely legal,bdsm,bestiality,bisexual,bitch,bondage,boob,boobs,boobies,boobys,bound & gagged,bound and gagged,breast,breasts,bukkake,butt,cameltoe,creampie,cock,condom,cuck-old,cuckold,cum,cum-shot,cunt,deep thraot,deep throat,deap throat,deep thraoting,deep throating,deap throating,deep-thraot,deep-throat,deap-throat,deep-thraoting,deep-throating,deap-throating,deepthraot,deepthroat,deapthroat,deepthraoting,deepthroating,deapthroating,dick,emetophilia,erotic,erotica,erection,erections,escort,facesitting,facial,felching,femdon,fetish,fisting,futanari,fuck,fucking,fucked,fucks,fucker,gapping,gay,gentlemens club,gloryhole,glory hole,gonzo,gore,guro,hardon,hard-on,hentai,hermaphrodite,hidden camera,hump,humped,humping,hustler,incest,jerking off,kinky,lesbian,lolicon,mature,mens club,menstrual,menstral,menstraul,milking,naked,naughty,nude,orgasm,orgy,orgie,pearl necklace,pegging,penis,penetration,playboy,playguy,playgirl,porn,pornagraphy,pov,pregnant,preggo,pubic,pussy,rape,rimjob,scat,semen,sex,sexual,sexy,sexting,skank,slut,snuff,snuf,sperm,squirt,swapping,transman,transsexual,transgender,threesome,tube8,twink,upskirt,vagina,virgin,whore,wore,xxx,yaoi,yif,yiff,yiffy,yuri,youporn

    Reply

  151. My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was entirely right.

    This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply
    how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!

    Reply

  157. With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.|

    Reply

  159. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!|

    Reply

  182. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Cheers!|

    Reply

  191. Hello there I am so happy I found your webpage, I really found you by mistake, while I was searching on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome b.|

    Reply

  269. I really love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you develop this website yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my very own blog and
    would love to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named.

    Cheers!

    Reply

  284. Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I have really
    enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing
    for your feed and I hope you write again soon!

    Reply

  542. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be actually one thing that I think I’d by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and very wide for me. I am having a look ahead in your subsequent post, I’ll try to get the grasp of it!|

    Reply

  543. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!|

    Reply

  563. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!|

    Reply

  566. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always interesting to read through articles from other writers and use a little something from other sites. |

    Reply

  592. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one today.|

    Reply

  599. I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I came across this in my search for something concerning this.|

    Reply

  614. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.|

    Reply