ITED 650 - Sims and Games Project/Research

Purpose:

The research assignment is intended to provide students with an opportunity to explore a specific aspect of simulations and games.  Due to the size of the class and time constraints of the Winterim semester, groups of four will be formed to carry out the research/develop the project.

Timeline:

1/8  - Students will submit their conceptual design for their project/research.  This should be approximately 2 pages, double spaced, and include an outline of what is to be done, how the research is to be conducted, and what equipment is needed.  This document will be modified and included in the next phase.

1/10- Students will submit a 3-5 page double spaced research/project outline.  This document should include the revisions to the first document, as well as a brief literature review supporting the project.

1/11 - Students will submit a 6-10 page revised research/project outline.  This document should include a refined design, that includes the following sections: Purpose/overview of the Study, Problem Statment, Literature Review, Procedures, and Expected Results.  Alternatively, if the a project is being done, a prototype of the project is due on this date.

1/14- Students will demonstrate the project/research as part of the final presentations for class.  Students  will have approximately 45 minutes of class time to conduct the research phase of the study/demonstrate the project.  Results of this phase will be included with the revised research outline as the final project for the class/formative evaluation report of the project.  Conducting further study based on this pilot study will be at the discression of the student with consultation from the instructor.

March 30th - Students with exceptoinal research/projects will be allowed to participate in the Learning and Research Fair at SUNY Potsdam Tuesday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the student union.

Possible Resarch Topics:

1) Help design and produce an instructional design card game. (I need one student to do this)

2) Measure physiological effects of games on the player

3) Do a pre and post game interview with the player, and measure for the effects of the game on the player.  Topics could be sensitivity to violence, sex, humor, etc. .  .

4) Interview players to determine what is motivating them to play the game.  Possibly a gender comparison would be appropriate in this case.

5) Videotape players playing a game, note facial expressions, eye movements, or any instances of them talking or making noises.

6) There are many others, these are just a few ideas.