Working on my thesis: update 2

Dear followers,

my apologies that I have not updated this blog in a long time, but I did not have access to Internet this past week.

I am still working on the first part of my thesis, which is about video games. I already mentioned that I was researching the different video game genres (see previous post), but I am also investigating other criteria to divide video games into different categories, such as: audience, purpose, visuals, platforms, complexity...

You could ask why it is so important to explain all these different classifications and the answer is simple: because most teachers have never heard about them. They do not play video games and have no clue about all the different types that exist.

One of the main reasons why I am writing my thesis is to provide more information to teachers about video games and how they can contribute to (culture) education. I can't immediately start explaining the various advantages and uses of video games in education, without first thoroughly explaining the phenomenon "video games".

This explanation is taking more time as expected, but it is very interesting material to investigate.

One of the following weeks, I will have an appointment with my mentor to discuss my progress. After this appointment I will have a clearer view on the expectations that my mentor has and I will be able to work more frequently on my thesis (which will result in more updates here).

Kind regards Cools Jeroen

Working on my thesis: update 1.

Hello to anyone who is interested,

I am currently working on the first part of my thesis. It will be focussed on "video games" (not yet on culture or education) and some of the topics I am currently researching are: what exactly is a video game? ; what types of games exist? ; a short history of the medium video games ; the impact of games on our current society ; ...

This part is already taking a lot of time to complete. Especially defining exactly what a video game is has more elements / challenges to it than I originally thought.


Today I researched "video game genres". I found out that there is a lot of vague, confusing and dynamic terminology about this subject. After some investigation I found a very useful classification system, devised by the editors of escapistmagazine.com: the Escapist's Genre Wheel (*) .
It is very useful to classify existing and future games and video game genres.
The classification system is based on two axes: action - strategy and exploration - conflict. These are the core gameplay elements of every game or genre. To find out more about this system you can visit the creators' website (link at the bottom).





This system has helped me a lot because it offers a definite classification of existing games and genres. If I use a term during my these that involves video game genres, every reader will know what I am talking about. The arbitrary labels and terms that are so widespread, will not be a problem in my thesis.

If you have any recommendations for the other subjects, you can always leave a comment. Thank you!

My apologies for the slow updates, but I am currently very busy. I will try to update more often in the future.

Kind regards,
Cools Jeroen

(*): http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_283/8400-Introducing-The-Escapist-s-Genre-Wheel

Responses to "brainstorm" session.

Hello everyone!

I have been very busy the last couple of days ( I have a job during the holidays), but I still managed to find some time to continue the work on my thesis.

As you can read in my previous message, I posted a questionnaire to several forums on the Internet and I also sent it to several experts on gaming and / or education. I received a lot of useful feedback and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who were willing to help me! Especially the help I received from the experts on gaming and / or education was really useful!

(Mr. Sean Dikkers, an expert on teaching with games, even posted my questionnaire and his answers on his blog. (http://gamingmatter.com/GM/strats/Entries/2011/8/16_Q&A_on_Using_Gaming_in_the_Classroom.html) On his blog you can find out more about his projects, achievements... You can find a lot of information there, if you are interested in games / education. )

First of all: my thanks to anyone who answered my questions. The majority of responses were really useful and I will mention those who want to in the acknowledgements of my thesis.

Secondly: These questions were meant as a "brainstorm" session to get my imagination going and to listen to what other gamers / teachers had to say about these subjects. It was not my intention to let other people do the work for me. The next couple of days / weeks I will begin the real work on my thesis. I will start reading a lot of books / papers / ... about my subject.

Finally: Here are some of the books / articles / ... that seem interesting to read. (note: these are just some of the resources that I might read. I have a lot more that I want to read, but I do not want to reveal everything just yet. Before I start reading I will have to sit down with my mentor and discuss my progress / future actions):

·

• (http://www.amazon.com/Video-Games-Teach-Learning-Literacy/dp/1403961697)
  

This is a book that describes why games can be used in classrooms and also explains what kind of cognitive development occurs while playing a game. James Paul Gee is an American professor of education who tries to show the positive upsides of using games to teach.

• · (http://www.amazon.com/New-Digital-Storytelling-Creating-Narratives/dp/0313387494)

This book describes how games (and other new media) tell a story. It describes how these new media are different from the traditional ones.

• · http://knack.rnews.be/nl/actualiteit/nieuws/dossiers/knack-wt/games-de-tiende-kunst/article-1195041963972.htm

This is a (Dutch) article about whether or not videogames are art. (the full article is published in the magazine: Knack WT)

(any many, many more...)

I will keep you posted on my progress! In my next post I will (maybe) show you a small part of the structure of my thesis...