Tales%20of%20Adventure%20Author:%20Learning%20Through%20Making%20Games

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Tales of Adventure AuthorLearning Through
Making Games

• Judy Robertson, Tessa Collins, Andrew Kelly

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Outline

• Judy Introduction to the project
• Tessa a teachers point of view
• Andrew a pupils point of view
• Judy A note about our research

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About Adventure Author

• Based at Heriot-Watt University
• Funded by EPSRC until Dec 08
• Aims to study the creative process learners go
  through when making their own computer games
• Have worked with schools in Edinburgh and Dundee
  to design and refine game making software
• Have also holiday workshops since 2003

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Adventure Author and ACE

• We have designed AA to fit in with A Curriculum
  for Excellence
• Successful learners (see Computers in Education
  paper at www.adventureauthor.org/publications.html
  )
• Technology curriculum now includes making games
  (see www.adventureauthor.org/2008/04/scottish-curr
  ic.html)
• Literacy and English guidelines
• (see www.adventureauthor.org/2008/03/nwn-as-a-curr
  ic.htmlmore)

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More about Adventure Author

• The software is a plug-in for a commercial game
  making package called Neverwinter Nights 2.
• We have taken out the trickier aspects of the
  software and added educational aspects
• The plug-ins are free at www.adventureauthor.org

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Neverwinter Nights 2
You can buy it on Amazon for 8
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Game making toolset
Comes free with Neverwinter Nights 2 game
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Fridge Magnets creative ideas
Free standalone version at www.adventureauthor.org
/fridge-magnets.html
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Conversation Writer
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Comments Cards peer review
Free standalone version at www.adventureauthor.org
/ comment-cards.html
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Experiences at Campie Primary School

• Tessa Collins

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(No Transcript)
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My Experiences of Adventure Author

• Andrew Kelly

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Before I started

• What did I know about game development?
• What did I know about NeverWinterNights and
  Adventure Author?
• Was I looking forward to it?

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During the project

• What did I enjoy?
• What did I learn?
• How did I make my game tie in with my story?
• Did I encounter any difficulties making the game?

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After the project

• What did I do with my game?
• Did I continue to work on my game?
• What was my feedback from a wider audience?
• What was my favourite part of the project?

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Notes on research

• Were analysing date to find out
• How the pupils told their stories visually
• Did the pupils successfully tell stories in their
  games?
• Were the fridge magnets helpful in supporting
  creative ideas?
• Were the Comments Cards useful for peer review?
• Read our blog to find out!

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Questions?

• Were looking for partners for a new funding
  application!
• www.adventureauthor.org
• adventure.author_at_googlemail.com