Technical standard
def. Use software and other tools appropriate to the task.
Artifacts from EdTech 670: Learning through Games & Simulations
eGame Analysis (pdf) - Group
Second Life Video Demo (mov) - Group
Reflection
Course: 670 Exploratory Learning through Educational Simulation & Games
Purpose: Develop an educational game which supports CPR instruction using animations, in-game slides and equipment.
Situation: Working in a team with two other students we identified a design opportunity to develop a game or simulation to teach or support the teaching of a topic. Using the online 3-D environment Second Life our team developed a working simulation and learning environment from concept, design, development and prototyping.
Our implantation concept is called CPR:Second Life and is a simulation game designed to reinforce the knowledge of CPR(Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) concepts and skills that people may have to perform in their “first” lives. This simulation that akes place in Second Life can be used as an extension activity for the learner to apply the concepts and physical skills they learn in the four hour "first life" CPR course. Using scenario based simulations CPR:Second Life provides a bevy of benefits to virtual learners that they could not receive in the real world. Since most life or death situational scenarios would be nearly impossible to implement in a classroom setting, learners are exposed to these situations and forced to respond.What problem(s) or opportunities arose as you were developing this artifact?
Working in a team with two other students allowed us to divide the work. While each of us took part in determining the scope and objectives of the project, I took on the task of developing the complex series of animations required for the simulation. The first problem I encountered was deciding on the tool to use that would be compatible with the Second Life engine. Settling on POSER as my development platform I taught myself how to use the program and developed a rudimentary animation for doing chest compressions. When I attempted to upload the test animation I ran into technical compatibility problems which significantly distorted the look and feel of my animation. After doing research I determined that my version of POSER was not fully supported by Second Life so I purchased an older version and developed the animations for kneeling, compressing the chest, giving breaths, and collapsing.We also experienced some virtual terrorism as we attempted to make a demonstration movie of the full CPR game in Second Life. During our recording a random person came into out shoot and started littering the rooms with virtual marijuana plants. We had to reschedule our shoot and had the instructional aide for the class remove the plants from our demonstration.
What did you learn from engaging that problem or opportunity, and how do you hope to apply in the future the experience you gained?
Besides solidifying my belief in the value of caffeine for the long night sessions spent learning the animation program and fine tuning the movements, I also gained a better appreciation for message boards and internet research. Without the community that had sprung up around Second Life I would have had even more problems getting the animations to work. For future projects where information may be scarce or highly technical I plan to use these message boards and forums as a potential source of information. By accessing these networks I can find previously unknown information quickly and inexpensively.What does this work demonstrate about you and your capabilities?
Although I have a solid foundation in computer technology and web and print based software applications this project allowed me to explore advanced animation which is an area of computer technology that I had little experience. By working on this project and having the responsibility for developing such an integral part of the project I was able to quickly learn a new technology, troubleshoot and solve multiple technical problems and produce the product in a timely manner for the rest of my team. Despite the technical and logistical difficulties I encountered, my tenaciousness and determination will allow me to succeed in any of my future endeavors.
What did completing this work teach you about yourself within the field of educational technology?
From a management perspective my technical skills will allow me to easily communicate with the "techies" I may work with in the future. My continuously evolving technical knowledge will also allow me to produce functional and aesthetically pleasing prototypes that other less technically inclined designers would be able to develop. While there are always people who can do the technical work, faster, better and cheaper, I hope the combination of my technical and educational skills will allow me to differentiate myself for those that I may later compete with in the field.
Technology changes at a mind boggling rate. It is neither easy nor cost effective for me to stay at the bleeding edge of computer technology and programming as well as increase my educational technology experience. The technical skills I possess, coupled with a thirst for knowledge and the instructional design skills I’ve developed will hopefully provide me with a competitive advantage.