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) |
|
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 |
|
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); |
|
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) |
|
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.
