Digital games have the potential to create active and engaging environments for learning, supporting problem-solving, communication and group activities, as well as providing a forum for practice and learning through failure. The use of game techniques such as gradually increasing levels of difficulty and contextual feedback support learning, and…

Describes research with college students that investigated commercial game types and game elements to determine what would be suitable for education. Students rated logic, memory, visualization, and problem solving as important game elements that are used to develop a model that links pedagogical issues with game elements. (Author/LRW)

Provides guidelines on how to adapt common games such as checkers, tic tac toe, obstacle courses, and memory joggers into interactive games in multimedia courseware. Emphasizes creating generic games that can be recycled and used for multiple topics to save development time and keep costs low. Discusses topic themes, game structure, and…

Describes the age-related developmental issues that typically confront teachers and writers in developing and implementing educational simulation/games. Examines physical, personal and social, language, and cognitive factors. Discusses the steps taken in creating a 16-week simulation for 10- and 11-year olds. Provides a source list of games and…

Illustrates some of the practical issues and problems connected with the design and use of computerized business games by describing three games which have been developed and operated by staff at Leeds Polytechnic Department of Business Management (United Kingdom). Sample input and output forms are included. (nine references) (LRW)

Describes the design and development of an instructional game, GEO, in which the user learns elements of Canadian geography. The use of knowledge-based artificial intelligence techniques is discussed, the use of HyperCard in the design of GEO is explained, and future directions are suggested. (15 references) (Author/LRW)

This paper describes the development, design, and implementation of an educational multimedia program. The program, "Jungle Quest," combined HyperStudio and word study in a game for classroom use. Methods for word study provide a carefully sequenced teaching of phonics, vocabulary, and spelling following children's natural stages of…

Outlines curriculum reforms being made in the master's level educational technology program at San Diego State University. Topics discussed include technological changes and the roles of educational product designers; human information processing; knowledge base design; student design of educational adventure games; interactive video design; and…

The reopening of a middle school in San Diego, California, provided a testing ground for a unique collaborative effort between the school faculty, a university department, and Apple Computer Corporation. The desire to infuse technology and cultural awareness across the curriculum led to the development of an interactive "microworld" game…

These designers approaches their physics lesson design task from the viewpoint of play. The designs, all having strong gaming influences, aim to be flexible enough to take advantage of the experience and ideas of a teacher working with a standard curriculum, yet interesting enough for students to want to continue exploring resources on their own…