November 02, 2007
Mini Tech Review-#4
A team from the University of Wisconsin has established a Local Games site that focuses on integrating augmented reality games into classroom curriculums. Augmented reality (AR) games focus on making learning hands-on and integrates virtual reality settings within real-world elements. There are eight different types of AR games listed on the site. Some of these games were discussed in Chapter 11 of The Design and Use of Simulation Computer Games in Education in detail, some were just mentioned. I will be focusing on the Hip Hop Tycoon simulation which enables students to experience being an entrepreneur.
I could easily integrate Hip Hop Tycoon into my entrepreneurship class. The class already does a real-world corporation where they sell "Golden Bear" (school mascot) themed merchandise. By adding an AR game like Hip Hop Tycoon, we could expand on the basic corporation activities that the class already is involved in. Since Hip Hop Tycoon is an augmented reality game where students role-play in teams, the students could build on their previous experiences and develop more defined roles such as specialists in business finance, sales and human resources. Games like Hip Hop Tycoon allow for trial and error via model building. Completeing simulations such as these allow students to work through situations/problems and the information resonates more so than memorizing notes or a lecture only long enough to pass a test.
The benefits for students who play this game is the ability to use technology and complete tasks that would be considered "real-world". When my entrepreneurship class participates in the real world corporation, they do not get to develop defined roles such as financial manager. I am the only one who has the authority to deposit and withdrawal from the account, so this does not give them experience in all aspects of a business. By working through the Hip Hop Tycoon simulation students could gain that skill. The only detriment to playing Hip Hop Tycoon would be the availabiltiy of hand-held devices needed to complete the simulation. If the teacher did not have access to a classroom set, then only a few students could play if any at all.
Posted by ascummings at November 2, 2007 07:13 AM
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