learning doesn't simply occur "in the head"

Kurt Squire

background problem: literacy in underserved youth
paucity of engaging literacy materials for middle school

learning doesn't simply occur "in the head"
- physical space, groups, tools, etc.

augmented reality
technologies that have people out walking around in the world and augmenting the real world with data
have people look at the world around them via a game
as students come within 20 feet of a hotspot, it triggers characters, data, etc. using PDAs
the world is your playground, virtual time
2-3 week units
as you meet people, they give you authentic documents
location-based role playing games - driven by emotionally compelling challenges
can this improve math and literacy skills?
the grant has them teaching teachers to design games for the local area
right now Kurt creates model games that the teachers modify
developed 3 model games
using an iterative process, at the "project refinement" stage right now
weather-dependent in Wisconsin (May through September primarily)
found that recruiting teachers can be difficult, but pairs and finding specialists across the curriculum helps
have 30-40 teachers right now

phases:
1 - pre-game: confront challenge, enter roles, background reading
2 - game: "situate" experience, introduce complexities, gather field data
3 - work time: process information, use reading strategies; this is where the choices come in (if you were going to run another test, what would it be, based on your budget?)
4 - presentations: "test your mettle"
5 - debrief: encourage transfer

give employee orientation packets for roles
example of students solving problem of kids getting sick from a picnic near the water; the kids actually visit a well and collect water
teachers interject reading scaffolding activities
students build concept maps