IT`S A GOOD PLACE TO GO(16 August 2005, 22:53 | About | 43 comments) It`s a good place to go. This is the overly simplistic but direct advice that one senior researcher at National Research Council Canada (NRCC) offers to educators about Apolyton Civilization Site. An essay originally published on his website that makes this learned recommendation is now an article appearing in the latest issue of Innovate journal, a bi-monthly digital publication of The Fischler School of Education and Human Services at Nova Southeastern University. In Downes` own words, [g]ames like Civilization III are attracting increasing attention in the educational community for their potential to support learning. [..] [E]ducators who seek to understand gaming technology -— and to incorporate customized forms of such technology in their teaching -— will find the Apolyton [w]ebsite worthy of exploration. [..] [E]ducators who visit [Apolyton] will discover information and resources that can support their own experiments with gaming technology as an instructional tool. Further, from the article`s official synposis: The community of users that contribute to Apolyton also provide news items as well as collaborative games, gaming tips, and an extensive discussion forum. Downes argues that educators (and their students) need to keep abreast of developments in gaming and uses this Web site as an example of the wealth of information and resources on "non-educational" sites. The "Apolyton University" effort and CivIII modification directory are highlighted elements of ACS in the piece. Downes contends that [w]hat sites like Apolyton suggest... is that instead of embedding a game into learning, it is possible to embed learning into a game. By selecting an already popular and widely customizable game such as Civilization, instructors can incorporate elements from many disciplines into a format their students already spend their days playing. Published bi-monthly, the latest edition of Innovate in which this write-up appears focus[es] on the role of video game technology in current and future educational settings. To read this and other articles in the online publication, Internet users need to subscribe for a free access account. Downes, who has been with NRCC since November of 2001, is currently a Research Officer of e-Learning at the agency`s Institute for Information Technology. - DanQ
^ Apolyton Civilization Site | Copyright © Daniel Quick ^ This is an independently owned and operated fansite. For more information, please consult our Legal Disclaimer & Privacy Policy.
