STATE UNIVERSITY of NEW YORK (SUNY) Potsdam
Department of Information and Communication Technology
IT 666 - Simulations and Games
- Course Syllabus -
Dr. Anthony Betrus: Instructor
Spring 2007

Credit: Three semester hours

Time: 7:10-9:40 Mondays
Jan 22, 29
Feb 5, 12, 26 (No Class Feb 19)
March 5, 12, 19, 26 (No Class March 26)
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14

Location: Satterlee 300

Purpose: This course covers topical issues in simulations and games in a seminar format. The primary purpose of this course is for the students to acquire an understanding of how simulations and games can be used for instructional purposes. Students will apply their knowledge through creating an instructional lesson centered around a simulation or game. A secondary purpose is for the students to gain an understanding of the history and current developments in the game industry.

Required Textbooks:

Got Game: How the Gamer Generation Is Reshaping Business Forever By Beck and Wade Harvard Business, 2004, pp. 208

Recommended Textbooks:

The Ultimate History of Video Games, Steven L. Kent ISBN: 0-7615-3643-4. There are technology requirements (see digital storage below).
What Video Games Have to Teach us About Learning and Literacy By James Paul Gee PALGRAVE MACMILLAN, 2003, pp.225

Requirements:

Instructional/Training Lesson: Students will negotiate a topic for as lesson that incorporates a simulation or game, computer-based or otherwise. The lesson must contain three distinct phases, which include: Briefing, Action, Debriefing. Students will work in groups of 2-3 to develop, test, and deliver the lesson. Grade will be based on the professionalism of the materials, delivery of the lesson, and reflections for improvement of the lesson in the future. (1/4 overall grade, 25 points). 

Student Led Discussions. Students will be assigned (individually) to prepare the readings for a discussion topic. Students will be required to submit a reading list ot the instructor no less than 2 weeks prior to the class discussion. In-class activities must also be prepared, including any technical setup (eg. preparing games to be played). Finally, the students responsible for this discussion must come up with a method for assuring that all students come to the discussion having read all of the assigned materials. This may include (but is not limited to): quizzes on the assigned reading. Other creative ways of assuring proper preparation for the discussion are encouraged, and may include both formal and informal evaluations (1/4 overall grade, 25 points).

Quizzes/Reaction Papers: As this is a seminar, students will be expected to read the assigned readings and contribute to class discussion. Students will be expected to write a 1 to 2 page reaction paper for each set of readings assigned for topical discussions. Quizzes and other evaluations will be determined by the students leading that particular days' discussion (1/4 overall grade, 25 points).

Class Participation/Journals: In addition to traditional in-class participation, students in this class will be encouraged to keep a simulations and games journal. In this journal the students will keep notes on daily simulation and game activities, including in-class and out-of-class activities. (Grades that are close to a given cutoff level maybe be either raised or lowered based on class participation and quality of journals.)

Final Project: Topic Negotiable. May include the development of a game, evaluation of a game, a research paper, or any number of projects related to simulations and games in education and elsewhere. This is your chance to pursue in a rigorous way something that is of interest to you and that will keep you motivated (1/4 overall grade, 25 points).

Technology Requirements: In addition to the textbooks, please reserve $50 for various technology expenses may be incurred during the course of the class.

Attendance: Daily attendance is required of all students, as the content of daily class discussions can not be obtained in any other way than attending class.

Digital Storage: It is strongly recommended that each student purchase a USB Pendrive, with at least 256 mb capacity.

Computer Use: As a class we will be using the Macintosh computers in Satterlee 300.  Students will be required to work with these computers or similar computers outside of class to complete homework assignments and projects. Both Macintosh and Windows computers are fine.

Plagiarism: This course adheres to the College's policy on academic honesty as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. Plagiarism may lead to grade reduction, course failure, or expulsion from school.

Students with Disabilities: Any students with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations should speak with the professor as early as possible. Students with disabilities should contact: Sharon House, Coordinator of Accommodative Services at 267-3267, Sisson 112, or e-mail her at housese@potsdam.edu for further assistance. All disclosures will remain confidential.

Grading:
Lesson: 25 points
Leading Discussion Topic: 25 points
Quizzes: 25 points
Final Project: 25 points
Close Calls: Determine by quality of Games Journal.

(90-100) 4.0
(87-89) 3.7
(83-86) 3.3
(80-82) 3.0
(77-79) 2.7
(73-76) 2.3
(70-73) 2.0
<70 points 0.0

Course Schedule: (Subject to change as needed. Discussion Topics are from Spring 2005, and are left there as examples for the Winterim 2006 class. They will be replaced with the current 2006 topics as they are approved/available)
 

Date:

Topic:

1/22

Course Introduction/Overview. Choose Topic for Lessons. Game Bingo

1/29

Listen to Studio 360's Jan 29, 2005 Broadcast regarding video games.

View the January, 2007 Broadcast of the Discovery Channel's Gamer Generation, Part 1

Read through Chapter 3 in the Got Game text.

Play multiplayer "Starcraft" in class.

2/5

Read Chapters 4 and 5 from the Got Game Text 

Teach Instructional Lessons (groups of 2 or 3).  (3-4 presentations)

(Lesson Plan Guidelines)

(Grading Criteria for Lesson)

2/12

Teach Instructional Lessons (groups of 2 or 3).  (3-4 presentations)

Read from chapter 6 through the end of the "Got Game" text

2/26

Discussion of "Got Game"

Discussion Leaders: (Kyle Fuller)

3/5

The Diffusion of Innovations Simulation Game

Diffusion of Innovations Overview

3/12

Continued Discussion of "Got Game" (Molly Brennon). Debrief of Diffusion of Simulation Game

3/19

Video Games in Education (Andrew Simser); Incorporating Video Games into Instruction (Irene Wilder)

4/2

World of Warcraft-Leadership Trainer, Relationship Killer, or both? (Tim Buckley);America's Army (http://www.gamestudies.org/0401/galloway/ & http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=America%27s_Army (Craig Cullen)

4/9

Video Game Design - (Kai Zheng); Educational Games on the Cheap (Pam Creighton)

4/16

Artificial Intelligence in Electronic Games (Wu Cao); Video Games and Brain Development (Heather Kiefer) ) FINAL PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE

4/23

Evaluating (Assessing) the Gamer Generation (Ling Luo - Raine)

Using Video Games to Teach Sports (Torrey McGowen)
1)
Football Coach Blames PS2 for Crap Players;
2) Young to Grace Cover of Madden '08;
3) http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm
(
scroll down to UNCLE RICO IS MADDEN'S COVER BOY);
4) Devin Hester: Maximum Speed;
5) The Home Screen Advantage
Promt for Torrey's session on 4-23 is: "Do you think that Video Games are a good use of a coach's time and money or do you agree with the coach from Northern Ireland. (Keep in mind I want your opinion and their is no write or wrong answer,you can make a strong argument for both.)

4/30

Graphics and Animation (Shan Shan Yang - Andrea); The Darker Side of Games (Xiaofeng Sun-Birdie)

5/7

One Laptop Per Child (Pam Creighton); Game Day (including exercise and video games)

5/14

Final Research/Project Presentations

All materials related to use in the course will be located at the Teaching Educational Games Resources Open Content Wiki

Office Information:
E-mail: betrusak@potsdam.edu
Office: Satterlee Hall 212
Phone: (315) 267-2670

This page created 1/22/2007 by Dr. Anthony Betrus.  Last updated 4/24/2007.