All games are potentially transformative experiences because they engage the player in dynamic action. When repurposed in an educational context, even highly popular casual games played online to pass the time can engage players in a way that deepens learning. Games as Transformative Experiences for Critical Thinking, Cultural Awareness, and Deep Learning: Strategies & Resources examines the learning value of a wide variety of games across multiple disciplines.
Organized just like a well-made game, the book is divided into four parts highlighting classroom experiences, community and culture, virtual learning, and interdisciplinary instruction. The author crosses between the high school and college classroom and addresses a range of disciplines, both online and classroom practice, the design of curriculum, and the transformation of assessment practices.
In addition to a wealth of practical exercises, resources, and lesson ideas, the book explains how to use a wide and diverse range of games from casual to massively multiplayer online games for self-improvement as well as classroom situations.
Author(s): David Seelow
Publisher: CRC Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 376
City: Boca Raton
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
In Memoriam
Author
INTRODUCTION: The Power and Potential of Games for Learning
PART I: Games as Transformative Classroom Experiences
CHAPTER 1 ◾ My Favorite Game: The Power of Personal Learning
The Online Class: Nontraditional Students’ Favorite Game
The Tradition Classroom: Youthful College Students’ Favorite Games
Thoughts on Adapting Strategies from “My Favorite Game” To Classroom Learning Activities
Note
Lesson Idea
Games
CHAPTER 2 ◾ Ask the Sphinx: Power Up Student Motivation with Superpower Challenges
Intrinsic Motivation: for the Love of the Game
Winning without Losing: Defining a Superpower Challenge
A Meaningful Mad Lib
Superpower Challenge # 1: Superpower of Healing
Task
Superpower Challenge # 2 Double Your Power
Superpower Challenge # 3: A Puzzle
Super Strength
Notes
Lesson Idea
Open the Door to Female Equality
Resources
Games
Website
Book
CHAPTER 3 ◾ Gen Con in the Classroom: Board Games for Learning
It’s Elementary, My Dear Watson: Board Games for the Young
Long-Term Lessons in Game Play from The Primary Grades
The College Pathway: Board Games for Older Students
From Bored to Board
Notes
Resources
Websites/Organizations
Board Game Resources
Books and Primary Media
CHAPTER 4 ◾ Video Games in the English Classroom: Supercharging Critical Literacy
Close Reading and The Power of Analytic Thinking
Why Close Reading?
Classroom Implementation
Classroom Activities
Playing and Reading, Contrasting Experiences of “The Dark Knight”
Batman: Experiencing The Shades of Heroism
Out of The Asylum: Some Bat Lessons Learned
Notes
Lesson Idea
Games
Primary Texts
Resources
Website/Journal
Books and Articles
Norton Critical Editions
CHAPTER 5 ◾ Playing through Stories: Teaching Interactive Narrative
The Reincarnation of The Bard: The Dungeon Master as Storyteller
Teaching Oral Narrative
The Mists of Ireland
Characters
The Scene
The Path of the Graveyard
The Path of the Round Tower
The Path of Cormac’s Cathedral
Text Adventures: Spurring Creativity and Demanding Exactitude or Good Reading Makes Good Writing
Choose Your Own Adventure Stories: The Fun of Reading
Hopscotch or The Ludic in Literature
Teaching Strategy
Fighting Fantasies or The Game-Novel
Teaching Strategy
Episodic Storytelling
Teaching Strategy
Exploratory Storytelling: what Remains of Edith Finch?
Teaching Strategy: The Museum of Me
Playing The Detective Story: “Herstory”
Teaching Strategy
Stories on the go or Florence in Love
Lesson Ideas
Chemistry/Physics/Art
Film
Literature/Graphic Novel
Notes
Games
Resources
Primary Texts
Websites/Organizations/Curricula
Books
PART II: Games as Transformative Classroom Experiences
CHAPTER 6 ◾ Using a Game to Counter the Prejudice, Bias, and Discrimination against the Transgender Community: If Found and Transformative Storytelling
Representing Transgender Persons During A “Culture War”
Kasio Says: Teaching The Journey of Discovery and Acceptance Through The Game if Found
Lesson Ideas
Games
Resources
Primary Texts
Websites/Organizations
Book
CHAPTER 7 ◾ “Smart Bets” Balancing Uncertainty with Clear Thinking: Annie Duke’s Poker Skills for Everyday Life
We are not as Smart as we Think
Note
Lesson Ideas
Resources
Websites/Organizations
Books
CHAPTER 8 ◾ Chess for Self, School, and Society
The Grand Game
Preventing Checkmate: Chess as an Academic and Social Intervention
Ben Franklin and The Game of Chess
Foresight
Circumspection
Caution
Perseverance
Chess as a Philosophy of Life
Notes
Lesson Idea
Resources
Websites/Organizations
Films/Television
Books
CHAPTER 9 ◾ War from the Other Side: Playing Games to Save Democracy
Attentat 1942: A Documentary Game as History and Warning
The Past in the Present: the Synchronicity of History
Shakespeare Still our Contemporary: The Game this War of Mine and The Challenge of Empathy in a Time of Increasing Intolerance
Teaching a New Kind of Wargame
Rethinking War Games
Teaching History During a Time of Historical Denial
Notes
Games
Lesson Ideas
Attentat 1942
This War of Mine
Resources
Websites/Organizations/Curriculum
Books/Articles/Essays/Talks
CHAPTER 10 ◾ The Child as Mother to Man: A Game for Saving Nature
Running with Hope
The Local is Global, The Global is Local
Playing the Child Hero
Rainbows and Butterflies: Art as Savior
Notes
Lesson Idea
Game
Resources
CHAPTER 11 ◾ Turning Strangers into Neighbors: Improving the World through a Game of Gratitude
Searching for Happiness in a Cynical Time
The Power of Kind Words
Lesson Ideas
Game
Resources
Primary Sources
Websites/Organizations
Books
PART III: Casual Games as Transformative Online Learning Experiences
CHAPTER 12 ◾ Three Small Games for Big Learning in Math and Physics
Cut The Rope: The Physics of A Candy Cruncher
Threes! Motivation for Math
Dragon Box Algebra 5+: Student Math Warriors
Games
Lesson Idea
Resources
CHAPTER 13 ◾ Playing Small Business Owners: Teaching Management, Self-Efficacy, and Authentic Skills through Casual Games
Papa’s Pizzeria to Go: Managing A Neighborhood Business
Tiny Tower: Teaching Entrepreneurship
Landlord Go: Teaching Real Estate Development
Punch Club: Teaching Self-Efficacy and Sports Management
Lesson Ideas for Authentic Field-Based Learning
Papa’s Pizzeria to Go
Tiny Tower
Landlord Go
Punch Club
Resource
Book
CHAPTER 14 ◾ Teaching Teamwork with a Public Health Game
Outbreak Squad: Fighting Epidemics, A Battle for Public Health
Lesson Ideas
Game
Resources
CHAPTER 15 ◾ There Is an Imposter Among Us: Teaching Truth in the Time of “The Big Lie”
The Dangers of A Single Truth
Games and Reality, Reality, and The Truth
Note
Lesson Idea
Games
CHAPTER 16 ◾ Teaching Tragedy in Real Time: The Syrian Refugee Crisis
Notes
Lesson Ideas
Game
Resources
Organizations/Websites/Curriculum Resources
Primary Texts
CHAPTER 17 ◾ Games for College Orientation: Social Emotional Learning
Life is a Mug of Oatmeal: The Average Everyday Adventures of Samantha Browne
The Sweet and Sour Week of an African American College Student: Sweetxheart: A Game for Conversations on Racial and Sexual Harassment
Postscript: diversity on college campuses, a Continuing problem
Notes
Lesson Ideas
Resources
Websites/Organizations/Centers
Articles/Chapters/Reports
PART IV: Playing across Boundaries: Interdisciplinary Instruction with Films, Games, and Literature
CHAPTER 18 ◾ Teaching the Disclosure Scene: Empathy and Understanding for Transgender People
Disclosing Gender Fluidity in a Binary Culture
Enduring Stereotypes
Disclosure as Hatred, Fear or Acceptance: Persona 3, Ace Ventura, and Lola
Secrets in Gerudo Town: The Legend of Zelda’s Transphobic Moment
Dressed to Kill: The Slasher as Therapist
The Problem with Teaching Political Correctness
The Secret’s out and the other is Dead: Slaughtering Sexual Difference or Dressed to Kill on the Streets of Harlem
The Crying Game and the Transcendence of Difference
Lesson Ideas
Games
Resources
Films/Television
CHAPTER 19 ◾ Teaching Over The Top: The Great War through a Game, Painting, Poem, and Superhero Film
Game
Resources
Primary Texts
CHAPTER 20 ◾ How “Memoirs” about the Iranian Revolution Can Help Change Stereotypical Perceptions of the Muslim as “Other”
Experiencing Islam in Ireland: A Personal Note By Way of Introduction
Representing Revolutionary Iran Through A Narrative-Driven Adventure Game: The Power of Art As Understanding and Empathy
Game as History/History as Game: The Nebulous Nature of Truth and Classification
The Veil of Truth
Persepolis I: Playing With the Veil
What Should We Teach?
Notes
Game
Lesson Idea
Resources
Primary Texts
Websites/Organizations/Curricula
Books
CHAPTER 21 ◾ Teaching about Pandemics During a Pandemic
A Journal of the Plague Year: Teaching History as the Present
Preparation
Social Stratification
Statistics as Truth and Lying
Social Dilemmas
Contagion
Existential Choices
Quackery and Science
Dead Bodies
Surveillance
Self-Indulgence and Impatience
Partying During the Plague: the Masque of the Red Death
Playing the Enemy: Plague, Inc
Darkness and Decay or Cooperation and Hope?
Heavens to Betsy: Teaching Outbreak in an Outbreak
A Note on Teaching Interdependence
Cooperation is the Only Thing: Pandemic
A Pox on us all: Board Games for Vaccination
Contagion, Covid-19, and the Future
Notes
Lesson Ideas
Games
Resources
Website
Books and Articles
Conclusion a Short Hike to the top of the Mountain: Teaching the Transcendent or Walking the Dog,
Index
