I’ll admit that I’ve haven’t even finished downloading PowerUp, IBM’s new multiplayer game about the environment and alternative energy, but so far I like what I see. Check out their launch/promo video below and see for yourself:
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A quick read of the teacher guides and lesson plans, shows lessons focused on inquiry-based learning, so it’s clear that the purpose of the game is to foster real innovative thinking in today’s high schoolers and not just meet provincial or state standards. And this is a good thing.Having students take on the role of an expert, in this case an engineer, explore issues presented in the game and then actually be able to consult with a *real* expert, in this case real engineers, is exactly the style of epistemic gaming that David Williamson Shaffer talks about in his great book, How Computer Games Help Children Learn.Given my last post about how Doodle 4 Google is nothing more than a in-school marketing campaign for Google, IBM’s creation of PowerUp is exactly the type of role I see corporations playing in public education.
As I said, I have yet to even install the game, which was only announced today. But so far I like what I see. Will report back after I’ve explored the world of Hellios a further.
[via Worlds in Motion]
For more info on the launch, check out the IBM press release on PowerUp.
Update: I’ve now had a chance to run around PowerUp and while I see potential, it is very buggy. This isn’t a release, it’s a beta at best. Controls are wonky, it crashed several times and I had to give up on one mission because my avatar wouldn’t fit through the opening at the top of a lighthouse. I’m still really liking the concept, but PowerUp needs a few more weeks of cleanup and playtesting before it should see the light of day. Expect patches and upgrades in the future. And wait for them before getting your students to play.
Another Virtual Worlds in the Classroom story of interest running at hundreds of schools across the from right now. Thousands of students are participating nationwide.
Coverage it in The Denver Post.
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_8644834
In the Virtual Team Challenge for High Schools Business Simulation, students design avatars and collaborate in teams inside the Virtual World to apply business skills, learn, and win.
This program is underwritten by Deloitte — to educate students about business, and attract talent to the accounting profession. It’s a growing trend — top companies that recognize the productive value of attracting, retaining and engaging talent are using videogames and “Sims”.
Thanks for that link Richard. Very cool use of avatars, although the branding of the challenge with the name Deloitte is a of bit unnecessary ad creep into the school system.