Games ,Computer simulations and virtual reality

Game:

There is many definitions for the meaning of the game and this is one of them "a physical or mental contest, played according to specific rules, with the goal of amusing or rewarding the participants"[1].

When we try to design or educational game or chose it, there is some points for better choice ,the game must be continuous challenge ,interesting storyline, flexibility, immediate,  useful rewards and combining fun and realism.

To start plan for our lesson that we will use the game in it ,first we have to define Objectives, then decide what sort of game and storyline ,after we have to break objectives down into challenges and design rewards. If we will design the game it is the time to start build Game, test game and run it.

Computer simulations and virtual reality

The computer simulations definition "are computer-generated versions of real-world objects .They may be presented in 2-dimensional, text-driven formats, or, increasingly, 3-dimensional, multimedia formats".[2]

And the Virtual reality definition is a "technology that allows students to explore and manipulate computer-generated, 3-dimensional, multimedia environments in real time."[2]

 There is tow main types of the virtual reality environment

• "Desktop virtual reality environments
• Web-based “virtual tours” "[2]

Computer simulations and virtual reality provide for the student an other life that the student has the opportunity build his experience and acquire new knowledge and skills from these games .But these learning approaches will be Influence by some factors these are the Grade Level, Student Characteristics, Teacher Training and Support and Instructional Context

Because I was taught in primary school I used the games to teach my first grade students some of the computer concept like click, double click, drag and drop, use the keyboard and pointing.

For other grades in their projects there are additional exercises to design a game and play it with their peers. But I never think about teach them by game may be this need more creative ideas.

These are some references for websites for educational games, simulations games and virtual reality games:

1.      http://funschool.kaboose.com/

2.      http://www.theproblemsite.com/games.asp

3.      http://www.girlgamezone.com/virtual-games.html

References:

[1] Zyda, M.. (2005). From Visual Simulation to Virtual Reality to Games. Retrieved decamber 15, 2010 from

http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/games/goodgame.html

[2] Zyda, M.. (2005). From Visual Simulation to Virtual Reality to Games. Retrieved December 15, 2010 from citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.104.5295...

[3] What Makes a Good Game? Retrieved December 15, 2010 from http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/udl/documents/VirtualRealityUDL_000.pdf