Serious Gaming

Product type

Serious Gaming

Coursera (CC)
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Description

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About this course: Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues? In this MOOC you will learn the ins and outs of games that are designed with exactly those purposes in mind: serious games. We will define serious games and discuss the different types that have been developed. We will explain why people like to play them and what impact they may have. State of the art theories from game studies, philosophy and media psychology will be used to help you understand how serious games work and how they appeal to players. The potential impact of gaming is addressed in detail by discussing per…

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When you enroll for courses through Coursera you get to choose for a paid plan or for a free plan

  • Free plan: No certicification and/or audit only. You will have access to all course materials except graded items.
  • Paid plan: Commit to earning a Certificate—it's a trusted, shareable way to showcase your new skills.

About this course: Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues? In this MOOC you will learn the ins and outs of games that are designed with exactly those purposes in mind: serious games. We will define serious games and discuss the different types that have been developed. We will explain why people like to play them and what impact they may have. State of the art theories from game studies, philosophy and media psychology will be used to help you understand how serious games work and how they appeal to players. The potential impact of gaming is addressed in detail by discussing persuasive games, which aim at changing the player's attitude. Throughout the MOOC, theoretical insights will be illustrated with playful animations and case studies of serious games that are developed by world-class companies in the city of Rotterdam. This MOOC is particularly interesting for you when you are a student considering to study digital media such as serious games, a professional interested in the opportunities these games may create for your organization, or a game developer who wants to know more about the impact serious games can have. Are you ready to broaden your vision on serious games? Join this course and be inspired!

Created by:  Erasmus University Rotterdam
  • Taught by:  Jeroen Jansz, Full Professor

    Media & Communication
  • Taught by:  Mijke Slot, Dr.

    Media & Communication
Commitment 6 weeks of study, 3-5 hours/week Language English, Subtitles: French How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.4 stars Average User Rating 4.4See what learners said Coursework

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Erasmus University Rotterdam Erasmus University: a top-100 ranked international research university based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Our academic teaching and research focuses on four areas: health, wealth, culture and governance. Erasmus University Rotterdam: make it happen.

Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction and Definition



What are serious games? What characteristics do they have in common with digital entertainment games? And what sets them apart from other media products? In this first module, we set out to define the field. Get ready to immerse yourself and play your first serious game.


5 videos, 2 readings expand


  1. Video: Let the games begin!
  2. Video: Introduction to serious gaming
  3. Discussion Prompt: Submit your definition of a serious game
  4. Video: The definition and characteristics of serious games
  5. Video: Introducing this course
  6. Reading: Introducing the team
  7. Video: Darfur is Dying
  8. Peer Review: Find a serious game on the web
  9. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources


WEEK 2


The Theoretical Framework



You might be wondering why we keep on playing a game, even though we sometimes lose or get stuck in a level. In this module, you will learn about what is so motivating about games. We will discuss theories and also a practical example of a serious game that encourages commuters to leave their car at home more often.


5 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Introduction to game theory
  2. Video: The relationship between play and culture
  3. Video: The psychological functionality of play
  4. Video: Motivations for playing and gaming
  5. Discussion Prompt: Motivating players to play
  6. Video: From 5 to 4
  7. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources

Graded: The attractiveness of play

WEEK 3


Different Serious Games and Simulations



Throughout this MOOC, you will learn that serious games are applicable in various situations. In this module, we introduce a taxonomy of serious games, which is a classification of the different kinds of serious games. We will focus on one type of serious games in particular: simulations. You will see how simulators are used in complex training situations. So get ready to visit the harbor of Rotterdam and a hospital emergency room...


4 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Introduction to serious games and simulations
  2. Video: The ABCDEsim
  3. Video: Simulation at VSTEP
  4. Discussion Prompt: Professional simulators versus simulation games
  5. Video: Taxonomy of serious games
  6. Discussion Prompt: Classifying serious games
  7. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources

Graded: Simulations and other types of serious games

WEEK 4


Persuasive Gaming



How can a game influence the attitude of a player? In this module, we will dive into a specific kind of serious games: persuasive games. Rhetoric and psychological theories will help you to understand how the process of persuasion works. And we will analyze in practice how persuasive games can help us to feel empathy for poverty-stricken teenagers, what it feels like to have autism or understand the impact of gun violence.


4 videos, 2 readings expand


  1. Video: Introduction to persuasive gaming
  2. Video: Persuasive properties
  3. Video: The process of persuasion
  4. Reading: Playing persuasive games
  5. Video: Three case studies
  6. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources

Graded: Persuading people to eat healthier

WEEK 5


The Impact of Serious Games



By now you probably wonder to what extent serious games actually reach their desired outcome. This seems to be the million-dollar-question, because when an organization invests serious money in a serious game, they would like to be sure it works. But the answer is not that simple. To know more about impact, you need to know more about how it is measured. Therefore, this module is about research methods. We will discuss two of them in more depth: survey research and experiments. Put on your lab coat!


4 videos, 2 readings, 1 practice quiz expand


  1. Video: Introduction to the impact of serious games
  2. Video: How to determine impact
  3. Video: The survey method
  4. Video: The experimental method
  5. Discussion Prompt: Research methods and their complexities
  6. Reading: The blood typing game
  7. Practice Quiz: Impact research and the Blood typing game
  8. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources

Graded: Researching the impact of serious games

WEEK 6


The Futures of Serious Games



Unfortunately, we do not own a crystal ball. In this module we will nonetheless take a look into the possible futures of serious games. Will we be playing games in virtual reality, or will we guide our game characters with our brains? Before we look forward, this module will also provide you with a brief overview of all the things we have discussed so far.


3 videos, 1 reading expand


  1. Video: Looking back
  2. Video: Looking ahead
  3. Discussion Prompt: How do you envision the future of serious games?
  4. Video: Play and steel
  5. Reading: Suggested reading & additional sources

Graded: Final quiz serious gaming
Graded: Your own gamification project
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