Today's K-12 students are considered digital natives who are, most likely, very comfortable using technology by being exposed to technology through digital gaming. In this unit you will become familiar with four learning theories as they relate to gaming and each other. You will post responses using Internet communication and collaboration tools.

Objectives

1) Identify four learning theories as they relate to games.
2) Apply a learning theory to learning.

Readings

1) Read *Chapter 2 (Becker, K.), Page 21 of Gibson, D., Aldrich, C., and Prensky, M. (2007). Games and Simulations in Online Learning: Research and Development Frameworks, Information Science Publishing, PA. Access from http://del.icio.us/virtualedworld/books (del.icio.us.com is a social bookmarking application).

2) Refer to the *Learning Theory and Gaming concept map in a presentation that consists of the following theories as discussed in the reading above and how the are related to gaming and each other.

• Gagne's Nine Events of Instruction
• Reigeluth's Elaboration Theory
• Bruner's Psycho-Cultural Approach
• Merrill's First Principles

Watch

You Tube Videos. Access from http://del.icio.us/virtualedworld/video.

1) No Gamer Left Behind (8:13).

2) Serious Games (3:19).

3) Gaming (5:57).

Activities

Using the options below, write a response about how you might use attributes of one (or more of the theories) in your classroom. Keep in mind aspects of gamer characteristics you've read about and seen in the videos. There are no limitations to how you will apply the theories or components thereof; use your creativity and existing knowledge to create an effective activity or lesson.

You must register and become a member at http://virtualedworld.ning.com to post or notify me of your post using the options below. For example, if you choose Option #3 go to the virtualedworld.ning Learning Theory forum and post the link to your blog.

Option #1
Go to http://virtualedworld.ning.com register and post your response in the forum named "Learning Theory".