Discussion Forum: Optional Update #4 Comment: What are the lessons educators can learn from games?

Dr. H. Chad Lane introduces self-directed learning within the context of a museum in his lecture by stating that Visitors and children are in charge. There are no grades, no academic rules other than explore and learn. He encourages his audience to think on this question. How do we create a drive to learn? There he continues to explore exhibits and the 4 premises in educational technology that is essential in designing Interactive exhibits.

A video creator Dr. Swapnil Paralikar describes self-directed learning in Medical Education and the Self-Directed Learning process. The presenter describes the stages as 1) Planning; 2) Learning; 3) Assessment and 4) Feedback. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSDPQ274C4&t=39s

The majority of (SDL) models of self-directed learning discuss these 4 stages which include A Four-Step Process. At Summit Learning, they assert that SDL encourages Lifelong Learning habits. They further explain: “After graduation, students will not be able to rely on teachers and mentors to navigate obstacles in life. That is why it's so important for them to learn the skill of how to manage tasks on their own, without the guidance of others, before they leave school. With Summit Learning, students develop a set of strategies around setting goals, making plans, demonstrating their skills and knowledge, and reflecting on progress and next steps. This is a skill we call Self-Directed Learning.”

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Learning Experience at Summit

SUMMARY Lessons that Educators can learn from games are that games are a way for learners of all ages to explore and engage in self-directed learning. Games can can be used in any discipline for learning. Games are in line with the theory of ubiquitous learning, the notion which support learning in many environments such as shown in the museum example as well as in the medical field at Stanford exploration of SMILI Additional lessons include children and adults as Life-long learners who continue to explore learning way beyond the formal education environment. As well as encourages learners to be “Knowledge Producers” as discussed in his lecture by William Cope, Professor in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois. Additional lessons learned in games that are interactive that it encourages active learning as opposed to passivity and memorization in learning.

[1]https://www.coursera.org/learn/ubiquitouslearning/lecture/Hri1N/self-directed-learning

[2]https://www.summitlearning.org/approach/learning-experience/self-direction

[3]Stanford Medicine Interactive Learning Initiative | Educational Technology | Stanford Medicine