Y VIDEO GAMES AND ADVISING STUDENTS Presented by: Stephanie - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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MOTIVATION VIDEO GAMES AND ADVISING STUDENTS

Presented by: Stephanie Chastain

Choosing Your Character

Current

• Academic Advisor for the

Department of Computer Science

• FYS Instructor
• Completing second master’s in

Educational Psychology

• Part-time gamer

Previous

• GA for Supplemental Instruction
• UNIV 101L Instructor
• EMU Alumnus – HESA program
• WSU Alumnus – Psychology Honors
• SI Leader and Peer Mentor

Understanding Your Mission

• Identify relevance
• Contrast types
• Recognize skill trees

Video Games

• Define self-efficacy
• Translate

conversation topics

Motivation

• Examine

commonalities

• Design XP bar
• Apply techniques

College

155 million

Americans play video games

    

4 out of 5 U.S. households own a device used to play video games 51% of U.S. households own a dedicated game console 56% of players are between the ages of one and 35 years old

Why Video Games?

Game Types

• Action, Shooter,
• Adventure, RPG,
• Simulation, Strategy,
• Sports, Racing
• Linear vs. Open
• Skill trees (permanent)

Video Game Summary

• More than half of Americans play video games
• RPG/Action/Adventure
• Open World Concept vs. Linear
• Skill/Ability Trees
• Customizable player attributes

What motivates a player to continue when the challenge appears too great?

Self Efficacy and Motivation

Physiological factors

• Anxiety: normal or lack of ability?

Social persuasion

• Encouragement from peers,

professors, advisors, family

Vicarious experience

• Modeling: if they can do it, I can do it as well

Performance accomplishment

• Experiencing success or mastery

Video Games and Motivation

• Thinking that sweaty palms and anxiety over a boss fight are normal

reactions and feelings.

• Your best friend reassuring you that you will win this time.
• Reviewing YouTube videos that walk players like you through difficult levels.
• Finally defeating your opponent and completing the mission.

How can we translate these into a conversation about academic success?

Student Success Translations

• How do you react when you cannot win a boss fight in a video game?
• Then ask: How can you use that thought process for your next math exam?
• What do you do when you are not sure how to complete a mission?
• Then ask: Is there a similar resource available to you for your English paper?

Students have the skills to succeed in their video games, why aren’t they applying the same techniques to their classes?

Examining Differences

College Skills

• Exams/quizzes have required skills

and knowledge for high scores

• Abstract understanding of student

level of knowledge via grades

• S1 Grade of A≠ S2 Grade of A

Player Skills

• Boss fights have required items,

weapons, and abilities to win

• Tangible understanding of player

ability via skill trees

• Dodge Move = Dodge Move

Where is the XP bar (and equipment list) that shows a student is ready for a test?

Designing an Experience Bar

• Each completed action provides a set amount of XP
• Provides students with a concrete view of what is needed to master

the skill

• Utilizing students’ prior knowledge (and interest) of video games

and relating it to obtaining study skills

• Motivate students to self-assess their skills and determine how to

make improvements

256 XP 1000 XP 744 XP to go before I’m ready for this exam! 5 more chapters and 7 more lecture slides to review...

Topic Options

• Motivation and Organization
• Improving Note-taking
• Textbook Reading Strategies
• Exam Preparation
• Time Management
• Eliminating Procrastination
• Stress Management
• Increasing Concentration
• Test Taking Strategies
• Coping with Test Anxiety

XP Bar in Practice

• Advising appointments
• Probation students (skill)
• First year students (structure)
• Academic Success Centers
• Tutoring or SI sessions (content)
• Success Coaching
• First Year Seminar courses
• FTIACs grew up with video games

Connecting Ideas and Experiences

Video Game

• Customize character
• Appearance
• Choose starter skills and abilities
• Navigating Open World Setting
• Side Missions
• Develop character skills and abilities
• Explore new areas
• Not required, but enhance experience
• Ultimate Goal
• Continue the story line until the game is

won

College/University

• Customize character
• Seek out place in the world
• Make choices to develop sense of self
• Navigating Campus Setting
• Side Missions
• Get involved on campus
• Join student organizations
• Build skills for academic success
• Ultimate Goal
• Choose a degree that leads to a career

that matches interests and values

Stephanie Chastain schastain@wayne.edu