Identifying Learning Objectives and Student Needs - The Multiplayer Classroom: Designing Coursework as a Game - page 187

Level 11

Identifying Learning
Objectives and Student
Needs

It s now time to examine the steps necessary to design coursework as a game.

We will start out slowly in familiar territory. Video games allow n00bs to learn
in a safe and easy environment.

'

n00b

n00b is l33t speak for a beginner, a rank amateur.

In fact, players often have to deliberately do something they know they shouldn ' t

do in order to fail in a game s early moments. Or players may be protected

entirely. They cannot do something that will harm them. That choice is withheld
from them. Ready? No need to be afraid. You

'

' re already at Level 11 after all.

There are three issues that must be addressed in the multiplayer classroom s

development cycle. Two are no different than any other type of class: learning
objectives and student needs. One is game specific. But first, let

'

' s begin with one

issue that shouldn ' t affect us.

How Students Learn
Not all students learn the same. Or do they? Up until the 1970s, all students were
taught pretty much in a similar manner. In that decade and since, a number of
researchers have attempted to identify how students learn, coming up with