Game Design

Games for Learning

Games are a powerful tool for learning, but tools work best when used appropriately. With each game, I start with 2 questions:

1) Should this be a game or would a different format better serve what is being taught?

2) What kind of game should it be (single player vs. multiplayer, cooperative vs. competitive, real-time vs. turn-based, timed or untimed, etc.)?

CHARACTER

Training Medical Team Trauma Care Communication

Goal: To develop a single-player timed game that provided the learner with opportunities to practice clear medical team communication.

Process:

1) Explore the audience, their needs, and why those needs aren't being met through interviews. In this case, organizing teams of medical professionals to be available at the same time was impractical and they needed other ways to practice these skills.

2) Identify the skills they need to practice and how they would be used in context. Draw on existing models like TeamSTEPPS medical team training.

3) Map skills to learn with game mechanics, ensuring that the essential pieces of the skill are included.

Reference: McDermott et al. (2020) IITSEC

Website: CHARACTER - Charles River Analytics (cra.com)

Photo 161941842 / Trauma Team © Albertshakirov | Dreamstime.com

Skylar's Run

Training Cognitive Skills in Children

Goal: To develop a game using existing brain-to-computer interface that trains attention and memory abilities.

Process:

1) Identify the key component cognitive skills underlying attention and memory abilities based on literature and interviews with subject matter experts.

2) Develop game story and approach through interviews with audience (children age 8-12).

3) Match cognitive skills with game mechanics and in-game goals.

4) Test with users for usability and effectiveness.

Reference: McDermott et al. (2020) Journal of Attention Disorders

Website: Skylar's Run - Atentiv Health