Skip to main content

Playing Science: Role-Playing Games as a Way to Enter Scientific Activity

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 8264))

Abstract

The problem of introducing science, scientific method and scientific way of thinking to schoolchildren and students is very familiar today. Simulations and games can extend regular education in this field. In this paper we describe how the framework of Vygotsky’s activity theory and the thought-activity pedagogics can be used as a theoretical basis for reconstructing scientific activity inside a game. We describe the experience of creating and conducting several educational role-playing games for presenting the essence of biological science to students. These games recreated the main aspects of scientific activity: experimental and theoretical work, scientific conflict and scientific management. The educational outcome proves the effectiveness of the method.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Crookall, D., Oxford, R., Saunders, D.: Towards a Reconceptualization of Simulation: From Representation to Reality. Simulation/Games for Learning 17(4), 147–171 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Davydov, V.V.: The Mental Development of Younger School Children in the Process of Learning Activity (Contd.). Soviet Education 30(10), 3–36 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Davydov, V.V.: Types of Generalization in Instruction: Logical and Psychological Problems in the Structuring of School Curricula. In: Soviet Studies in Mathematics Education, vol. 2, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Davydov, V.V.: The content and unsolved problems of activity theory. Perspectives on Activity Theory, 39–52 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Elkonin, D.B.: The psychology of play. Journal of Russian and East European Psychology 43(1), 11–21 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Engeström, Y., Miettinen, R., Punamäki, R.L. (eds.): Perspectives on activity theory. Cambridge University Press (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fedoseev, A.: Educational role-playing games as a way of reconstructing scientific activity in schools. V International Scientific-Practical Conference Theses, Ulianovsk University (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Fedoseev, A.: Live-action role-playing games as an educational technology. International Scientific Conference “Interactive Education” Theses, Lomonosov Moscow State University (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Fedoseev, A.: The problem of including students into the scientific sphere. The experience of using game educational technologies. International Scientific Conference “Interactive Education” Theses, Lomonosov Moscow State University (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gromyko, Y.: Thought-activity pedagogics. Minsk (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Henriksen, T.D.: Moving Educational Role-Play Beyond Entertainment. Teoría de la Educación - Educación y Cultura en la Sociedad de la Información 11(3), 226–262 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hyltoft, M.: Four Reasons why Edu-Larp Works. In: Dombrowski, K. (ed.) LARP: Einblicke, pp. 43–57. Zauberfeder, Braunschweig (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kant, I.: Critique of pure reason. Cambridge University Press (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Kaptelinin, V., Nardi, B.A.: Acting with technology. MIT Press (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Klabbers, J.H.: The magic circle: Principles of gaming & simulation. Sense Publishers (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kuhn, T.S.: The structure of scientific revolutions, vol. 2. University of Chicago press (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Lainema, T.: Perspective Making: Constructivism as a Meaning-Making Structure for Simulation Gaming. Simulation & Gaming 40(1), 48–67 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Leontiev, A.N.: Activity, consciousness, and personality. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Luria, A.R.: Cognitive development: Its cultural and social foundations. Harvard university press (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nardi, B.A. (ed.): Context and consciousness: activity theory and human-computer interaction. MIT Press (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Polanyi, M.: Personal knowledge: Towards a post-critical philosophy. Psychology Press (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Popper, K.R.: The logic of scientific discovery. Hutchinson, London (1959)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  23. Schedrovitsky, G.P.: Underlying philosophy of training and development analysis within the framework of activity theory. “Training and Development” symposium theses, Moscow (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Schedrovitsky, G.P.: Pedagogy and Logic, Moscow (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Schedrovitsky, G.P.: Organisational activity games, Moscow (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Strugatsky, A. & B.: The Snail on the Slope. Bantham, New York (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  27. van der Veer, R., Yasnitsky, A.: Vygotsky in English: What still needs to be done. Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science 45(4), 475–493 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Vygotsky, L.S.: Thought and language. MIT Press (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Whitton, N.: Learning with digital games: A practical guide to engaging students in higher education. Routledge (2009)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this paper

Cite this paper

Fedoseev, A., Vdovenko, D. (2014). Playing Science: Role-Playing Games as a Way to Enter Scientific Activity. In: Meijer, S.A., Smeds, R. (eds) Frontiers in Gaming Simulation. ISAGA 2013. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 8264. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04954-0_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04954-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-04953-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-04954-0

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics