Games usually simulate diverse conflicts, competitions, and collaborations in the real world. Children and young urban planners can naturally learn how to be strategic from playing games.
There are a lot of good examples that applying games to teach land use planning, such as CLUG http://www.cluginfo.org/part-1a---d-instructions-for-players-city-council-operator--accountant.html.
Mathematicians and economists are good at explaining the principles of games. Game theories explain the relations and behaviors at the micro-levels. Scholars and practitioners then apply models to understand international relations. How about we use games to make learning more interesting for broader learners?
I would like to try more game designs for different learning groups and keep on posting my thoughts here...
Ha! Midterm and finals, time to play!
When I met my friend, Miloud, an instructor of IDS 1161: WHAT IS THE GOOD LIFE after midterm this Fall, he said, "Ziming, my students and I are so tired, could you come and flip my classroom by using some interesting pedagogy?"
Sure, I am glad to. Let me think. How about this one? We let students mimic how the world goes by playing the cards I designed? The money in this small world is peppermint candy. Then let them think about what is sustainability and what "white card" could mean to them? I am attaching the template of my design for Miloud's class.
I can make it more simple for kindergarten kids to learn social skills and knowledge or more complex for adults for public education later. I look forward to teaching urban economics and sociology in such a game-based experimental approach in the future. Also, there are plenty of cheap materials to play with in such a learning-by-playing style, which could benefit low-income youngsters for better development too. I continually think about the good interventions for poverty alleviation and public insecurity. Empowering kids, especially those who are vulnerable in low-income communities, through a joyful and inclusive learning process might be an option. I would like to test this thought from this simple class design.
Game Design for Children in the Global Community
This design will engage children (aged 6-12) living in informal settlements to learn mathematics and spatial knowledge.
Under Construction....
(picture are not relevant to real design)