Ideas

interesting enough! but dont you think elearning is a kiler to small kids?

I'm not sure i understand fossiloflife's comment but I like your idea.

I have been toying with using gaming formats for alot of other more serious pursuits ... like education, for example.

We should talk.

Dukestein

Hi Game.
I don’t know this quote from Einstein but for sure he didn’t like the formal education that we usually have to face. Children learn trough play and games are sometimes called a vitamin-g for the brain.
To do what you want do will cost you an immense amount of programming and I’m sure if it will be easy to earn that back.
Tommy

I can tell you spent some time thinking about this idea. What I would suggest you do is go out and do some market research to see if there is a large enough market to do something like this. A project like this could be expensive, but it could be worth the cost if there is a big demand for it.

Fossiloflife; I think you might right about the "small kids", but most 12 to 18 year olds would probably prefer to play a well designed strategy game then pick up a text book or listen to a teacher tell.

Cost - it would be big, without question. There seems to be a movement behind the need to change the way schools operate, as it is apparent most of them are out of touch with the way kids (people) learn most effectively. Check out http://www.fas.org/gamesummit/

Something like this would not replace the school system, but if the games and the avatar experience was engaging enough to drive kids to learn, apply and evolve the content, it sure would have an impact on changing the system's current paradigm.

Thanks for the comments.

Dukenstein - I'll be in touch.

A book was released on this topic last fall - http://gotgamebook.com
Also this article is interesting:
http://wistechnology.../article.php?id=1504

Thanks, Christine. I'll check them out.

Thanks for the links Christine! They were very insightful! =]

A very clear game design. Feel go to see someone with game creating experience.

I love the idea and I'm voting up.

If you need any help in the game of the virtual reality of it.
Please feel free to message me.

]V[oogy

The one thing I see is that unlike games meant for little kids. HS classes have more complexity to them, and the type of games geared to higher age ranges are generally more complex as well.

So, it would take a lot more work and money to program a game like this for HS students then students in elementary.

I know there are a few learning games online all ready geared to different age groups.
Example: http://www.funbrain.com/

its ok

as much as agree with Kevin ...i can still see the great potential on this!

Feel free to PM me on more details..i used to be with an Education Syste, in our country and really this sounds neat only with some quesiton in my mind i wanted to ask in the coming days. Such as how many hours would it take a certain age to at least have a healthy session...for one i dont intent to let my schooler having this virtual elearning half of the day or even morethan 12 hours per month else it would simply not a holistic approach on the general well being of a child development

That's a good point, Saigon. Do we know how much time on average a population of users spend on Habbo Hotel or Second Life? Maybe more than one might consider healthy. I suppose I'm imagining that if kids are spending the time online being engaged, it would be better if they were furthering their studies - it would be a form of homework that they are keen to get to. Eventually, teachers might dedicate classroom time to team play.

What is especially interesting to me is that it is learning done as a community, where knowledge is shared and the education can be taken in innovative directions - the kids drive it. Also, they are learning what employers of today would consider higher order thinking skills; collaboration, innovation, negotiation, communication, problem solving, strategic thinking, analysis, planning and execution, resource management, multitasking, decision making and adaptation. All this while learning about the immune system with your avatar classmates.

I'm liking this more, the more I write about it. Am I allowed to vote for myself? If so, how many times?

game,

I can see your good objective unfortunately in education it doesnt work that easy. There is a bureaucratic system you have to loosen up aside from the purist most of member of academic community. To augment the curricula wil take years except for higher education like college and gradutae school . You were saying the basice education which is secondary and below, its tough. YOu have to present a complete ACADEMIC MODELS to let the authority agrees especially for innovative purpose. I dont want to sound pessimistic, but your great idea would put educators at a lost in measuring formative assessment--providing data to inform instructional planning for primary schooling children of which most havent even mastered some basci computer applications.

These are some of my comments today, hope you can provide more refinement for good erudtion to make your IDEA battle ready.

saigon,

Perhaps it would be better to provide and incentive like $L in the currency of this game that would allow them to customize their avatars depending upon the amount of interaction and participation in the game?

It's a great idea. I think we've barely tapped the Internet as an educational tool. I often get my kids to look for educational sites to assist them with their studies. There are a lot of good sites but not nearly enough.

Saigon- great comments. I agree with your perspective on the bureaucracy. I think the web experience would have to stand on its own merit, build user support and gather measurable data on it's benefits just to get an educational bureaucracy to acknowledge it. Kids need to drive it through their avatars; this won't be a school initiative.

Note that the curriculum would not change, only the way in which it was delivered. There is already high profile support behind this delivery change - check out http://www.fas.org/gamesummit/

Merman - great idea on the $L. I like it.

Thanks for the comments all.

Hi Game! Don't worry about huge programming requirement nor the amount that has to be spent. More, important is it can be done? Greater importance is how can you offer and alternative to so many options in the internet that will make our world2.0 a better place for our children. If Entropia Universe, EverQuest, Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, World of Warcraft, Lineage, Industryplayer, Miniconomy, RuneScape, EVE Online, and Gaia Online and other big projects came into existence, why not this idea? If this idea is intended as a non-profit, and its a kind of innovative, revolutionary but realistic, there are foundations like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that could fund this. Who knows the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, might appreciate this.

m

I like your style, m. Thanks

Thumbs up!

This is what i see on the future of my education.

The idea is brilliant but the name is awful!

Can you change it to with universal appeal for your market?
Like ShangriLab or Virtupia? NAything but FOULPLAY soundz like Grounded to me.

awesome...

This is what i wanted for my kids too. I know Saigon's comment have something to do with his industry but you see i rather have my kids dwelling on a school educational site than trying to sneek into someonline games on their IT lab hours.

By the way i agree that the name doesnt seems enticing. =)

Sounds expensive to build.

Also, I hate the term "e-Learning." Try not to use it, especially if you're marketing to kids.

I think you are right about the name. Foulplay is the name of the environmental board game I created, so the logo was all I had to post. ShangriLab and Virtupia - I like those; got anymore.

"e-learning" no go. gotcha - I'm still trying to break out of old jargon.

I think its not expensive since its already build right?

Ok how about LearningVille perhaps? eVillage? Annex2.0?

Cmon use your RP... were excited!

White_Tulip,
Who is "we"

How about "Express Academy" or "Advanced Academics"?

Blue: I think White_Tulip was referring to the community.

Cmon, Blue, you know your into it. I voted for yours.

Express Academy sounds interesting. Annex 2.0 - also interesting.

Thanks - there's got to be more...Blue?

"Don't worry about huge programming requirement nor the amount that has to be spent. More, important is it can be done?"
I would definitely worry about the cost and program requirements. If you are even thinking about returning any type of profit. Can this be done, sure it can be done. Can this be done and still make a profit that's where your chances get slim.

One thing that I would like to remind people that are not very familiar to the game industry. Educational games are like a kiss of death. It is hard to make educational learning fun. Many "games" that I have seen for the HS and collage level are basically along the lines of flashcards or puzzles.

Can you explain the overall game concept more in-depth about what players will be doing and how they will be learning?

Definitely a good IDEA than the so and so paraded in here!

Can i suggest a name too?

V.I.L.E.: Virtual Interactive Learning Environment ...

Does your invention program comes in some language? It will be a hit if it will be in Chinese or other major language if it will be eventually be adapted worldwide. A virtual eyeball meeting from foreign students would be also beneficial like in SecondLife.

wrong post i guess this is supposedly for Foulplay how do i edit this one?

oh this one is the correct one hahahaha i need to sleep, its along weekend!

i still don't like the idea friend.

Something about being around other people and human interaction seems more appealing to me.

and what about Reader Rabbit?

I can see the genius in this IDEA that would shape and rock Academic community in the very distant future.

Saigon, have his scholarly concern that are in awesome observation.
Some parents here have their own reservation too..but this is what is the trend technology is driving us into. I even subscribing to saigon post in Second life that he intend to put a school in secondlife.

...and this GAME"s idea is the real thing next to that proposal!

I definitely agrees with ezeitgeist...

a secondlife virtual environment for the Handicapped was how i check Saigon's proposal (had hard time digging that).

Nevertheless this "FoulPlay" whatever seems a fast forward of the future that is now dawning in our time.

Luv it!

I just finished my bachelor's degree online so I am well aware of how the Internet is changing the face of education. I like your idea. I think it needs to be further developed but it has loads of merit and could be quite productive.

I have been using a game called "TyperShark" for some time now to help me improve my typing skills. It's loads of fun and before you know it you've learned something, or in my case, improved a skill, without really trying. Most games do little more than exercise your thumbs. This one, and the one you are proposing, could do a great deal more.

If you could get the approval / endorsement of any school boards or other officials that would help a lot.

Also, why don't you sniff around and see if there are ever any calls for tenders to design ed games?

Home schoolers might be a good market.

I too prefer kids to spend less time on computers but if the ed system is going to require computer-based learning then the least of all evils is to have good quality games.

If you can label the product very specifically with the key words that prove it is curriculum-based, that would help parents / teachers / schools justify buying and using it. E.g. "Grade 4 Alberta Social Studies Curriculum - Neighbourhood Unit", or "Key Stage 5", or whatever fits the environment.

And even if it is not adopted within schools, if you label it so that parents clearly see it is related to a part of their child's curriculum, it could be sold the same way as other study aids are. In Calgary I've seen a lot of books for high school exam courses sold in the mainstream bookstores. The Grade 12 exam books seem to sell very well.

Glad to know you started with the environmental topic!

Kevin_cox - good comments, thanks. The whole issue of profitability would be daunting, unless of course, referring to your second comment, the game(s) can be trully engaging while imparting strong education. This is the part that would really create differentiation.

You asked me how the game might meet the needs of mandated curriculum - here is my first kick at the proverbial cat. Remember, your ideas, suggestions and criticisms are welcome.

In the game Fouplay, you are a high profile international environmental scientist/investigator (Indiana Jones type) competing to build your client base of big industry clients. Environmental issues and liabilities arise for your clients that you must resolve. Correct resolutions and a successful bid wins you the client and future revenues from that client as issues continue to arise. As the scientist/investigator, you must; discover the source of a problem you are presented with; you must discover the mechanisms (chemical, biological and physical) that are causing the environmental degradation, you must research different solutions, quickly solve the problem and then put in place preventative measures so the issue doesn't occur again. Other players are trying to steal your clients and you are trying to steal their clients, so you need to be creative, knowledgable and efficient. Problems would incorporate any kind of environmental liability ranging from excessive CO2 emissions to groundwater contamination to asbestos problems ect.

So far, there are over 400 environmental issues associated with 40 different businesses in sectors such as heavy industry, agriculture, transportation, services, manufacturing and recreational operations. Investigations and resolutions bring into play chemistry, biology, and physics. Planning bids and revenue streams bring applied knowledge in finance and strategy, which utilizes math skills. Balancing economic issues with sustainability introduces a plethora of topics for social studies. As a consultant and scientist you are writing solution reports, which introduces english. Dealing with clients, regulatory agencies, lawyers and your competitors introduces learnings in communications, law, ethics and strategy.

As you advance in the game, you are also advancing in grade level. Solutions to environmental issues of all sorts allow students to innovate and build content that enhances the game play and learning. Opportunities to create alliances with other players to resolve a tough problem teaches collaboration and problem solving. Maintaining those alliances and clients teaches relationship management.

With regards to content, we could adjust the environmental issues content and continue to build the database of acceptable solutions to various environmental issues with new ideas and students can leapfrog off those ideas to generate more. Change content to address the needs of different learning jurisdictions. Provide al sorts of access to resources so they can build their solutions based on real science applied.

Domination is the objective, while resolving the worlds environmental and sustainability issues. Pretty daunting, eh? Can it be done? does it makes sense? Would students go to play even if they didn't have to?

myTOTz - If the market is there, I imagine it could be adapted to all languages, and all curriculum.

Lucci - V.I.L.E.: Virtual Interactive Learning Environment. I like it, thanks.

Patrick_Jones - I hear you man. Rabbit Reader rocks! For the record, I couldn't imagine ever replacing classrooms, or board games for that matter.

eZeitgeist - Saigon's post of a school in SecondLife? I didn't see that - cool. I'll check it out.

Thanks, omaga!

Fibonacci - I'd be curious what you think about what I wrote above, given your online learning experience. Thanks

Hey, Jill, thanks for the comments - insightful. School boards would be ideal but tough, as they are usually heavy bureaucracies. But I think you are right about home schoolers and the parent approved market. I think you're bang on.

Sorry, about the length.

Hi Game,

I think your idea is essesntially immersive learning, except that it is for children. Just google immersive learning to go to games for learning.

The timing of your idea is good and would be beneficial in Seoul, where the government is in starting stages of launching e-learning in schools.

http://www.korea.net...1_best_15_en_300.wmv

Having said that, as a person from the learning industry, I do feel that creating a whole school urriulum out of this would be very challenging.

Thanks, Shweta. Great link on Korea's initiative!

I have to agree with you on the issue of challenge. I imagine there would be different games focussed on different curriculum. The games would probably augment other forms of delivery, such as online and classroom.

Game,

I been out over the weekend due to the demand of my Graduate school studies, but i was able to vote on almost all of the ideas in this week tournament. Also, I was able to chat with my Professors and made a discussion on the IM (instructional material) of this kind.

They opined, "the recent dramatic changes in the makeup of the student population in many schools pointed to the need for designing and implementing new educational and teacher training programmes that would incorporate the educational needs of newcomers". This IM like you've got serves as a medium to bridge an effective tool to eventually reachout the new thirst of the students. An IM listed on this category is Internet Access, your Virtual Educaiton is something that would probably answer on many issues specifically on my focus which is the Handicapped Children. One is; Can learning of mental imagery skills for visualizing shapes be accelerated with feature masking? Various sectors in several highly develop country such as yours have been debating researches about the effectiveness of different types of feedback in programmed instructions. Knowledge of results had the least data to support its efficacy. Knowledge of correct responding (KCR) has been shown to be effective in several studies.been taken by the inspectorates of education. In restrospect, your VE (hope you got a name by this time) would be the missing link.
In general studies the initial issue i presented re IMAGERY that such software program you've got would answer and probably give a good foundation for higher educaton are:Chemistry, physics fine arts, military tactics, and laparoscopic surgery often depend on mentally visualizing shapes in their absence. Probably working with "spatial feature-masks" (skeletal shapes, missing key identifying portions) will encourage students to use visualization strategies? We learned some experimental study are on the works, being tested that hypothesis using an online computer game involving rotating and stamping a 3D cube on a 2D pattern.

Oh, i myself is getting lost in all of this. By and large i know you will likely to prove the best points your VE would offer in general. As i have said purist educators are at time too hard to give in, like all scientist are cautious to try something untested except inspired.

Kindly open a Forum Topic in the days to come so we could discuss more about your wonderful concept (and ready VE).

All the best,

Saigon

Kudos to Shweta!

I used to be under an Education System with international business operation and yes we even pioneered e-learning in our country (phil).
Right now am having an entry access to exchange students education program under the auspices of a Korean sectarian led visionaries. In the coming days i will try to discuss too your VE and probably incorporate on my own grand plan to have a "special school" inside Second life!

-ditto-
saigon

Btw, thanks for giving me the site of FAS that was soo good! The
Educational Games Produced by the Federation of American Scientists are awesome!

Wow, so much already available