Collaborative virtual gaming worlds in higher education

There is growing interest in the use of virtual gaming worlds in education, supported by the increased use of multi‐user virtual environments (MUVEs) and massively multi‐player online role‐playing games (MMORPGs) for collaborative learning. However, this paper argues that collaborative gaming worlds have been in use much longer and are much wider in scope; it considers the range of collaborative gaming worlds that exist and discusses their potential for learning, with particular reference to higher education. The paper discusses virtual gaming worlds from a theoretical pedagogic perspective, exploring the educational benefits of gaming environments. Then practical considerations associated with the use of virtual gaming worlds in formal settings in higher education are considered. Finally, the paper considers development options that are open to educators, and discusses the potential of Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) for learning in higher education. In all, this paper hopes to provide a balanced overview of the range of virtual gaming worlds that exist, to examine some of the practical considerations associated with their use, and to consider their benefits and challenges in learning and teaching in the higher education context

A physical approach to modelling large-scale galactic magnetic fields

A convenient representation of the structure of the large-scale galactic magnetic field is required for the interpretation of polarization data in the sub-mm and radio ranges, in both the Milky Way and external galaxies. We develop a simple and flexible approach to construct parametrised models of the large-scale magnetic field of the Milky Way and other disc galaxies, based on physically justifiable models of magnetic field structure. The resulting models are designed to be optimised against available observational data. Representations for the large-scale magnetic fields in the flared disc and spherical halo of a disc galaxy were obtained in the form of series expansions whose coefficients can be calculated from observable or theoretically known galactic properties. The functional basis for the expansions is derived as eigenfunctions of the mean-field dynamo equation or of the vectorial magnetic diffusion equation. The solutions presented are axially symmetric but the approach can be extended straightforwardly to non-axisymmetric cases. The magnetic fields are solenoidal by construction, can be helical, and are parametrised in terms of observable properties of the host object, such as the rotation curve and the shape of the gaseous disc. The magnetic field in the disc can have a prescribed number of field reversals at any specified radii. Both the disc and halo magnetic fields can separately have either dipolar or quadrupolar symmetry. The model is implemented as a publicly available software package GalMag which allows, in particular, the computation of the synchrotron emission and Faraday rotation produced by the model's magnetic field. The model can be used in interpretations of observations of magnetic fields in the Milky Way and other spiral galaxies, in particular as a prior in Bayesian analyses. (Abridged.)Comment: 20 pages, 14 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Amplifying applied game development and uptake

The established (digital) leisure game industry is historically one dominated by large international hardware vendors (e.g. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo), major publishers and supported by a complex network of development studios, distributors and retailers. New modes of digital distribution and development practice are challenging this business model and the leisure games industry landscape is one experiencing rapid change. The established (digital) leisure games industry, at least anecdotally, appears reluctant to participate actively in the applied games sector (Stewart et al., 2013). There are a number of potential explanations as to why this may indeed be the case including ; A concentration on large-scale consolidation of their (proprietary) platforms, content, entertainment brand and credibility which arguably could be weakened by association with the conflicting notion of purposefulness (in applied games) in market niches without clear business models or quantifiable returns on investment. In contrast, the applied games industry exhibits the characteristics of an emerging, immature industry namely: weak interconnectedness, limited knowledge exchange, an absence of harmonising standards, limited specialisations, limited division of labour and arguably insufficient evidence of the products efficacies (Stewart et al., 2013; Garcia Sanchez, 2013) and could, arguably, be characterised as a dysfunctional market. To test these assertions the Realising an Applied Gaming Ecosystem (RAGE) project will develop a number of self contained gaming assets to be actively employed in the creation of a number of applied games to be implemented and evaluated as regional pilots across a variety of European educational, training and vocational contexts. RAGE is a European Commission Horizon 2020 project with twenty (pan European) partners from industry, research and education with the aim of developing, transforming and enriching advanced technologies from the leisure games industry into self-contained gaming assets (i.e. solutions showing economic value potential) that could support a variety of stakeholders including teachers, students, and, significantly, game studios interested in developing applied games. RAGE will provide these assets together with a large quantity of high-quality knowledge resources through a self-sustainable Ecosystem, a social space that connects research, the gaming industries, intermediaries, education providers, policy makers and end-users in order to stimulate the development and application of applied games in educational, training and vocational contexts. The authors identify barriers (real and perceived) and opportunities facing stakeholders in engaging, exploring new emergent business models ,developing, establishing and sustaining an applied gaming eco system in Europe

Evaluating the efficacy of digital games to develop communication skills in an arts environment

Much has been written about the theoretical potential of digital games to transform teaching and learning and to offer new forms of digital assessment; yet the education system in the United Kingdom (UK) is arguably still focused exclusively on the assessment and reward of individual effort and achievement. This can be at odds with the requirements of twenty-first century working environments and in the requirements for developing the personal employability characteristics of students. Engaging students in authentic collaborative project work that requires sophisticated and coordinated communication can present real challenges. Employers are increasingly demanding as prerequisite that graduates have highly developed communication and collaborative team working skills for opportunities in the digital industries such as Games Design, however Games Design students are often quite isolated in their personal industry related practice, working methods and their online lifestyles and lack the "soft skills" which would enable them to work successfully within a team. The authors elaborate on how Hull School of Art and Design has attempted to address this problem through the implementation of an Applied Game, the "Watercooler Game", for their Games Industry undergraduates. They present their reflections on the rationale behind the pedagogic approach, the decision to develop an applied game to address their pedagogic challenges and their experience of working with a commercial Games Developer in producing the game. Using a sophisticated evaluation framework, devised as part of the EU Horizon 2020 funded Realising an Applied Gaming Eco-system (RAGE) project, the authors present the initial findings of their evaluation of game from a multidimensional perspective. The pedagogic approach, the technical approach adopted by the developers of the game (an open source asset based approach) and the pedagogic efficacy of the game through evaluation of the learning objectives achieved and how these finding may be applicable in a wider educational context

Reflecting on Yesterday, Understanding Today, Planning for Tomorrow

The JISC Observatory provides horizon-scanning of technological developments which may be of relevant for the UK’s higher and further education sectors.The JISC Observatory team has developed systematic processes for the scanning, sense-making and synthesis activities for the work. This paper summarises the JISC Observatory work and related activities carried out by the authors. The paper outlines how the processes can be applied in a local context to ensure that institutions are able to gather evidence in a systematic way and understand and address the limitations of evidence-gathering processes. The paper describes use of open processes for interpreting the evidence and suggests possible implications of the horizon-scanning activities for policy-making and informing operational practices.The paper concludes by encouraging take-up of open approaches in gathering and interpretation of evidence used to inform policy-making in an institutional context. <br/

GREAT Deliverable 6.2. Dissemination and exploitation plan

This document provides detail of the instruments, tools and processes to be deployed by the Games Realising Effective Affective Transformation (GREAT) project partners and associates to engage stakeholders, raise awareness and leverage the project outcomes, outputs, findings and results. In conjunction with the supporting, associated, dynamic ‘activity plan’ the document will be used by the project to inform, manage and operationalise dissemination and exploitation activities. The core elements of the plan are: ● To provide an integrated and consistent external profile for the project, to facilitate recognition, raise awareness and engage identified target groups. ● To ensure visibility of the project’s actions, activities, outcomes, research findings, and events. ● To disseminate extensively and intensively the achievements of the project and the effectiveness of the GREAT approach to targeted audiences. ● To leverage the international networks that are linked to consortium members. ● To provide a roadmap for successful commercial and non-commercial exploitation of the project outcomes. This first version of the deliverable (D6.2) will be updated and revised with a second iteration at a later point of the project in month 30. The updated version (D6.4) will incorporate specific details of activities undertaken, strategic updates and reflections informed by the emergent experience of the project as it progresse

Um inquérito aos agentes do sector dos Videojogos em Portugal

Despite the impressive growth of the video game industry in Europe and a growing interest emerging in that industrial sector, there is still a knowledge deficiency in respect of its characteristics, and its contribution to urban and regional development. This paper explores the characteristics of the industry communities, location factors, types of games developed, tools used, marketing and sales channels and economic impact. This research is based on data collected in Portugal through a survey of 70 economic agents, under the auspices of the First Atlas of video games Industry in Portugal research project. The paper concludes with an elaboration of the opportunities and challenges associated with the industry and the potential role of public and institutional policies in supporting its development and sustainability.Apesar do grande crescimento do sector dos Videojogos no contexto europeu e do crescente interesse que tem despertado, pouco se sabe sobre as suas características e o seu contributo para o desenvolvimento de novos caminhos de crescimento urbano e regional. Este trabalho explora as características do seu tecido empresarial, os fatores de localização e as redes criadas, tipos de jogos desenvolvidos, ferramentas utilizadas, canais de marketing e vendas, e impacto económico. O artigo desenvolve-se a partir de dados recolhidos em Portugal através de um inquérito respondido por 70 agentes económicos, e resulta do trabalho desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto ‘Primeiro Atlas do Sector dos Videojogos em Portugal’. O artigo conclui com uma reflexão acerca das oportunidades e desafios associados ao sector dos Videojogos, bem como do papel que as políticas públicas podem ter no suporte a novos caminhos de desenvolvimento urbano e regional relacionados com este sector de atividade.This work has been partially supported by national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) with reference UID/CEC /50021/2013 and by the EC H2020 project RAGE (Realising an Applied Gaming Eco-System); http://www.rageproject.eu/; Grant agreement No 644187

The video game industry in Portugal

Despite the impressive growth of the video game industry in Europe and a growing interest emerging in that industrial sector (e.g. from the European Commission), there is still a knowledge deficiency in respect of its characteristics and regional impact. By mapping the most relevant active agents participating in this economic activity in Portugal, this paper explores the characteristics the industry communities, types of games developed, tools used, marketing and sales channels and economic impact. This research is based on data collected in Portugal through a survey of 70 economic agents, under the auspices of the First Atlas of video games Industry in Portugal research project. The paper concludes with an elaboration of the opportunities and challenges associated with the industry and the potential role of public and institutional policies in supporting its development and sustainability.This study is part of the RAGE project. The RAGE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 644187. This publication reflects only the author's view. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains