Lucas Horton

Designing Science Learning with Game-Based Approaches

Given the growing popularity of digital games as a form of entertainment, educators are interested in exploring using digital games as a tool to facilitate learning. In this study, we examine game-based learning by describing a learning environment that combines game elements, play, and authenticity in the real world for the purpose of engaging students’ learning of science and enhancing student motivation. We discuss the design of the environment and present research conducted. Our findings demonstrate that the design of an engaging, interactive environment using a game-based approach can help students have fun while learning.

An Exploration of Mashups and Their Potential Educational Uses.

ABSTRACT A Web mashup is an application that combines data and functionality from more than one source. By bringing disparate data together in ways that enable users to do new things or accomplish common tasks with newfound efficiency, mashups are rapidly increasing in number and may offer exciting new possibilities for classroom instruction. However, in comparison to more established Web 2.0 applications such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts, which already enjoy a place in the educational conversation, mashups are less well-known and their educational uses are less explored. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to provide an introduction to mashups as part of Web 2.0 technology, describe several mashup examples, and explore their potential use in educational contexts.

Creating a Multimedia Enhanced Problem-Based Learning Environment for Middle School Science: Voices from the Developers

This paper describes the design and development process used to create Alien Rescue, a multimedia-enhanced learning environment that supports problem-based learning (PBL) in middle school science. The goal of the project is to further our understandings of technology, pedagogy, and instructional theories as they relate to the application of PBL within middle school classrooms through the application of design-based research. A unique characteristic of the project is that it is developed entirely by a team of graduate learning technologies students, working under the direction and supervision of the faculty. Throughout the development process, graduate student developers learn steps and strategies for designing immersive learning environments, engage in technology development, and conduct research that informs future design iterations. Key features of the development model are described in detail and developers’ reflections are shared. Recommendations for those interested in engaging similar endeavors are provided.

Examining the Design of Media-Rich Cognitive Tools as Scaffolds in a Multimedia Problem-Based Learning Environment

This chapter examines the various cognitive tools embedded in a multimedia-enriched PBL environment for middle school science known as Alien Rescue and shares the research findings of the use of these cognitive tools in assisting young learners’ problem solving. The goal of this chapter is to illustrate strategies for designing media-rich cognitive tools to support learning.