Serious Learning occurs as a learning cohort accomplishes the learning goals and objectives of a serious game or online learning simulation.Key concepts, lots of jargon. Let's break it down.
Serious game: Drawing on the various genres of video games, serious games have the serious purpose to change, in a pre-defined way, the beliefs, skills and/or behaviors of the cohort group(s), primarily, and individuals, secondarily, who play the game, while preserving the entertainment aspects of the game experience. Principle characteristics of serious games (SG) are multi-player, immersive, persistent virtual environments.
Online learning simulation: virtual renderings of real life environments and situations that allow individuals and groups to learn and practice skills and behaviors in a "safe" environment. As opposed to SGs, the game experience is not a characteristic of online learning simulations (OLS), and emphasis can be made on individual learning and performance.
Learning cohort: a group of learners who are working together toward the same learning goals. Typically, though not always, the learning cohort is based on an intact work team or other group with common performance requirements.
Video game genres are defined from the point of view of the player. Not unlike novels or movies, they include:
- first-person shooters
- strategy
- action
- adventure
- fantasy
- role-playing
Groups vs. individuals: There are many media and formats for providing the instruction, content, and relevant practice to help an individual advance his/her skills, knowledge and/or beliefs. Serious games are all about groups: group performance, group interaction, group decision-making, group cohesion and support. They recognize the importance of developing individuals in support of group goals and objectives. Simulations, on the other hand, are all about performance, whether individual or group: rapid decision-making, flawless execution, and crucial skill development.
Mirror vs. metaphor: Simulations and games draw on different design motifs, with simulations being mirrors of the real world and games being metaphors of the real world. Learning simulations present a learning environment that is a virtual representation of the performance environment. Serious games present a learning environment that is a metaphorical representation of the performance environment.Serious learning does not occur by accident. It is a function of design. In examining the design elements of serious learning, this website seeks to support the community of learning designers, game developers, and business managers who are developing serious games and online simulations.I'm serious,Anne
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