Synthetic Learning Environment Games: Prototyping a Humanities-Based Game for Teaching African American History

Abstract

Generational differences and financial and motivational barriers have limited student access to humanities resources. We contend that Simulation-based Learning Games (SLGs) offer a potential means for delivering humanities content in a format that is more accessible to students and more appealing – both visually and interactively – than traditional educational materials. To explore this assertion, a prototype SLG was developed by students and faculty at the University of Central Florida. This prototype was created using off-the-shelf game technology, and was designed to incorporate sound principles drawn from both the science of learning and the area of game design. Additionally, the SLG is designed to reference and incorporate Florida's Sunshine State Educational Standards to ensure relevance to and support of traditional educational methods.

Choices and Chances

“…It is not surprising that the usefulness of games in teaching sociology and other disciplines in which critical analysis skills are necessary has been well researched and documented (Barreteau, Bousquet and Attonaty 2001;Chussil 2007;Dondi and Moretti 2007;Dorn 1989;Greenwood-Ericksen et al 2007;Pfeiffer and Syed 2008;Strauss 2006;Tan 2007;Wheeler 2006). One type of game that is popular among students and has been successfully employed in the classroom is the RPG (Ahamer 2004;Porter 2008;Raybourn and Waern 2004).…”