CyberSTEM: Making Discovery Visible Through Digital Games

CyberSTEM正在开发和测试一个跨越家庭、学校和非正式学习环境的综合数字游戏网络，提供一套基于生命科学前沿发现的数字游戏。该项目询问参与CyberSTEM是否会增加六个领域的学习：对科学的兴趣、概念知识、科学推理、对知识的反思、参与科学以及作为一名科学家的认同。目标受众包括6-9年级的青少年。在为期三年的计划中，CyberSTEM经过反复设计、开发、测试，并向公众推出。每个单独的游戏（以及随后的整个学习系统）都是通过一个反复的、研究驱动的过程开发的，首先是对玩家的实验室研究，旨在揭示游戏如何塑造他们的思维，基于课堂的案例研究，参与CyberSTEM如何改变课堂实践，参与CyberSTEM如何影响课堂成绩的对照研究，然后是如何参与CyberSTEM在课堂之外(在博物馆，家庭，（或其他环境）影响青年对科学的参与。在每个阶段，将采用适合问题的研究设计、方法和分析程序，包括涉及大声思考协议的实验研究、使用响应性案例方法的案例研究、使用重复测量ANOVAs的前后测试，以及使用话语和回归分析的探索性数据挖掘技术。作为一个综合研究项目，CyberSTEM将通过开发美术和代码资产，以及可以招募参与研究的学校、教师和学生网络，建立快速开发和部署基于科学的游戏的能力。所有代码、美术资产和研究工具都将在线发布并开放源代码。CyberSTEM将产生一个由5个模型游戏组成的综合游戏平台，这些模型游戏可以作为综合游戏课程的基础。每个游戏都有一个相关的课程，教师、博物馆和其他科学教育者可以用它来教育公众有关前沿科学的知识。到第三年，该项目将在20所学校进行测试。该项目将使用Kongregate、iTunes和XBox Live等非正式游戏渠道来接触普通大众，这些人最终将创建支持CyberSTEM的社区。这种跨越家庭、学校和非正式科学机构的教育和推广模式有可能导致对教育的戏剧性反思。合作组织包括威斯康星大学、少数民族学生成就网络和莫里奇研究所。

CyberSTEM is developing and testing an integrated digital gaming network that spans homes, schools, and informal learning settings, offering a suite of digital games based on cutting-edge discoveries in the life sciences. The project asks if participation in CyberSTEM leads to increased learning in six areas: interest in science, conceptual knowledge, scientific reasoning, reflection on knowing, participating in science, and identifying as a scientist. The target audience includes youth in grades 6-9. CyberSTEM is iteratively designed, developed, tested and rolled out to the public across the three year project. Each individual game (and subsequently, the entire learning system) is developed through an iterative, research-driven process starting with laboratory studies of players designed to uncover how game play shapes their thinking, classroom-based case studies of how participation in CyberSTEM changes classroom practice, controlled studies of how participation in CyberSTEM has an impact on classroom achievement, and then how articipation in CyberSTEM beyond the classroom (in museums, homes, or other settings) influences youth participation in science. In each phase, research designs, methods, and analyses procedures appropriate to the questions will be employed, including experimental studies involving think aloud protocols, case studies using responsive case methodology, pre- and post- tests using repeated measure ANOVAs, and exploratory data mining techniques using discourse and regression analysis. As an integrated research project, CyberSTEM will build the capacity for rapid development and deployment of science-based games through developing art and code assets, as well as a network of schools, teachers, and students who can be recruited for research. All code, art assets, and research instruments will be published online and be open sourced.CyberSTEM will result in an integrated gaming platform consisting of 5 model games that can be the basis of integrated game-based curricula. Each game will have an associated curriculum that teachers, museums, and other science educators can use to educate the public about cutting-edge science. By year three, the project will be tested in 20 schools. The project will use informal gaming channels such as Kongregate, iTunes, and XBox Live to reach the general public who will ultimately create the community that sustains CyberSTEM. This model of education and outreach that cuts across homes, schools, and informal science institutions has the potential to lead to a dramatic rethinking of education. Partnering organizations include Wisconsin University, the Minority Students Achievement Network and the Morgridge Institutes for Research.