A discussion on the educational benefits of gaming in communicating cross-cultural experiences. Includes topics demonstrating an increased need for diversity in gaming media.
Description:
Join presenters Nathan Gandy (Psychologist, Lead Instructor at Crowder College) and Ben Barnes (Second Chief of The Shawnee Tribe, Director of Shawnee Language Preservation & Education) as they discuss the need for a greater cultural representation in gaming and popular media. This lecture will outline the psychological and sociological benefits of having more diverse characters and scenarios, as well as gaming’s ability to help educate participants on difficult or foreign concepts due to cultural differences. This discussion will touch on gender, race, sexuality and other cultural representations in gaming media.
This seminar will examine the psychological, sociological, and educational benefits of superhero fantasies. Topics include identity formation, imagination, morality, and pro-social behavior.
Description:
This seminar will break down the psychological, sociological, and educational benefits that come from popular superhero stories. The discussion will include an examination of popular heroes and what they can teach us about our emotions, our fears, and our behaviors. We will discuss superheros as the new mythology, serving many of the roles of classic literature and ancient myth. We will examine how superheroes influence a child's identity formation, imagination, and can even encourage pro-social behaviors. Educators, child development professionals, parents, and anyone who loves the world of superheroes are welcome to join the discussion.
Gamification of education involves using gaming elements to alter learning and engagement. Students can be motivated through paths of mastery and autonomy commonly found in gaming technologies.