A Doctoral Seminar about....

Play Theory

Lloyd Rieber

Department of Instructional Technology

The University of Georgia

To get you in a "playful" spirit, click here to see a nifty card card -- see if you can figure out how it's done.

Here's a general menu of stuff on this page:

Required readings

Rieber, L. P. (1996). Seriously considering play: Designing interactive learning environments based on the blending of microworlds, simulations, and games. Educational Technology Research & Development, 44(2), 43-58.

Rieber, L. P., Luke, N., & Smith, J. (1998). Project KID DESIGNER: Constructivism at work through play. Meridian: Middle School Computer Technology Journal [On-line], 1(1). Available http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/index.html

Additional readings (optional)

Rieber, L. P., Smith, L., & Noah, D. (1998). The value of serious play. Educational Technology, 38(6), 29-37.
Note: This article complements the ETR&D article above nicely. We tried to write this one for a more general audience with less "devotion" to theory & research and more care in explaining how the theory applies to everyday educational situations.
 
Rieber, L. P., & Matzko, M.J. (in press). Serious design for serious play. Educational Technology.
Note: This article will appear in an upcoming special issue of Educational Technology.

Resnick, M. (1998). Technologies for lifelong kindergarten. Educational Technology Research & Development, 46(4), 43-55.
[You can download a copy of StarLogo by going to its project's home page.]

Pellegrini, A. D. (Ed.). (1995). The future of play theory: A multidisciplinary inquiry into the contributions of Brian Sutton-Smith. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

Steffe, L. P., & Wiegel, H. G. (1994). Cognitive play and mathematical learning in computer microworlds. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 26(2-3), 111-134.

Sutton-Smith, B. (1997). The ambiguity of play. Cambridge, Mass: Harvard University Press.

Karaliotas, Yannis (1999). The Element of Play in Learning - The Role of Synergetic Playful Environments in the Implementation of Open and Distance Learning. http://users.otenet.gr/~kar1125/proj99.htm

Resources & other related links

Resources

Geometer's Sketchpad Home Page
You can download a demo version of GSP from this site.
 
Knowledge Revolution Home Page
This is the company that offers a variety of simulation/modeling packages, such as Interactive Physics. You can get a free demo CD of their products.
 
ThinkerTools Home Page
You can download the complete software (not a demo) for free from this site. But be sure to learn more about the Scientific Inquiry Model associated with this project.
 
Cocoa
Apple's Internet Authoring tool for kids (previously known as KidSim). Download a free evaluation copy. (Unfortunately, this URL did not work for me when I tried it today. Apple announced around March, 1997, that they were no longer going to support this product, so I'm suspicious that the site is no longer active. Too bad -- it was a great product. You can still learn more about this product and the thousands of kids (and adults) who have used it by going to the Apple site and doing a search on "cocoa".
 
StarLogo
StarLogo is a programmable modeling environment for exploring the behaviors of decentralized systems, such as bird flocks, traffic jams, and ant colonies. It is designed especially for use by students.
 
SimCalc
The SimCalc Project aims to democratize access to the Mathematics of Change for mainstream students by combining advanced simulation technology with innovative curriculum that begins in the early grades and includes powerful ideas extending beyond classical calculus.
 

Related links

Explore Science Home Page
This is probably my most favorite example of a collection of interactive learning modules and all were designed by just one person, Raman Pfaff, a nuclear physicist by training. It's an astounding collection.
 
World Wide Interactive Learning Design (WWILD) Team home page
Join the WWILD Team! This is a 'bare bones' web site that I built to push a new delivery model of web-based learning resources. Several of my simulations and games can be found there, including a demo of Space Shuttle Commander, Acceleration & Velocity Simulation (which includes "The Rogue Refrigerator" model), and SimSchool. Take note that my examples, and many others, require special resources to run the programs (such as one of the Shockwave plug-ins). When these resources are needed, most sites give links to where you can acquirre the resources.
     
Macromedia's Shockzone
Much of my simulation and gaming material is programmed in Authorware and then "shocked" for use on the Internet. You can get familiar with Shockwave technology by visiting Macromedia's Shockzone. There are lots of examples of interactive multimedia created using Shockwave (few are educational, however).
 
Home page for a seminar Lloyd recently conducted on Constructivism
My views on the role of play are much aligned with the philosophical underpinnings of constructivism. Here is a little lesson on constructivism that includes a "shocked" simulation called SimSchool. (Yes, there is supposed to be some irony in providing a lesson on the big "C".)
 
Bernie Dodge's Home Page
Bernie teaches at San Diego State University and is particularly well known for his simulation and gaming course, and particularly his WebQuest project.
 
North American Simulation and Gaming Association
This is the group that publishes the "Simulation & Gaming" journal. NASAGA's primary mission is to facilitate the use of simulations and games and to collect, develop and spread information about the principles and procedures of interactive, experiential approaches to education, training, management, problem solving and decision making.
       
GAMEKIDS
GAMEKIDS is a gathering place for kids of all ages to learn and exchange non-computer games and activities. So, who said it all had to be on the computer?!

This page last updated on December 7, 2000.