| 152 | | ==== Using the Mars Game to Teach Math ==== |
| 153 | | ''This demo shows the Mars Game prototype deployment in GENI. Visit us to learn more about digital game-based learning, education and US Ignite.'' |
| 154 | | |
| 155 | | Mars Game is a web platform for teaching math to ninth and tenth grade students. |
| | 152 | ==== Using the MarsGame to teach STEM concepts ==== |
| | 153 | |
| | 154 | ''This demo will show the ADL True Game Based Learning Mars Game prototype as deployed on GENI. Mars Game is an Open Source web-based game that leverages HTML5 technologies in modern web browsers, with the goal of teaching basic programming and math concepts at the 8th-10th grade level. '' |
| | 155 | |
| | 156 | The True Game project is hypothesizing that Games can be effective learning tools of domain knowledge. The current perception of game-based educational applications revolves around the insertion of learning content into a graphics engine or virtual environment, in the belief that the simple use of a “game engine” will make the application more game-like, and thus more engaging and more effective. The problem with this approach is that it overlooks the key point: Games are captivating not because of improved visual quality or scoring, but because content – in the form of story and gameplay – is skillfully designed to be fun. With these ideas in mind, we developed and evaluated a prototype game that teaches ninth and tenth grade STEM concepts, specifically programming and math. We conducted a randomized control trial to evaluate whether the game improved students’ engagement and learning outcomes. We will demonstrate the game and its usage of the Virtual World Framework, a next generation web based collaboration platform. |
