Research Agenda

Year: 2005-06

Mentor: Jose Zagal

Scholars: Jenelle Walker, Crystal Wrenn

Date Submitted: Nov. 11, 2005

Research Area:

Proposed Research Tasks:

             We will be expanding on previous research by Rick and Hsi on the possibilities of learning collaboration through the use of collaborative games. In a prior study, they identified particular characteristics a collaborative game should have to help people overcome the “competitive mindset” and tested these with a game called “Lord of the Rings” by Reiner Knizia. They found that people can overcome the competitive mindset and learn collaborative skills when playing collaborative games that have a set of certain characteristics. We will conduct a similar study using a new game, “Shadows Over Camelot”. This collaborative game has very similar characteristics to the “Lord of the Rings” with a twist: one of the players may be a traitor. We feel that Shadows Over Camelot better simulates a real-world collaborative environment where trust is not always a given. Through this study, we will attempt to explore how particular game mechanics affect the nature of collaborative practices.

             We will research issues of collaboration and trust, as well as game design and the competitive mindset which is brought up in the research we are expanding. We plan to observe, volunteers play “Shadows Over Camelot” and analyze the events that transpire. We will then use the data we collect to decide if and how the unusual game mechanic disrupts or enhances the ability to learn collaboration. Before we conduct the study, we must attain IRB approval (certification is complete at this time).

Previous Research:

 Zagal, J.P., Rick, J. and Hsi, I. (In Press). Collaborative games: Lessons
learned from boardgames. Simulation & Gaming, to appear.

Rick, J. and Hsi, I. (Under Review) We shall be hobbits: Learning to succeed through collaboration in a game context. The Journal of the Learning Sciences

Timeline:

 Nov: IRB certification (complete)

 Nov-Dec: Prepare and submit IRB protocol for approval

 Nov-Jan: Review Background Literature; Research topics include:

Jan: Game analysis, preliminary game tests, and recruitment of study participants.

Feb: Perform study (observed game play by volunteers)

Feb-Mar: Analyze data; compile data into report (may extend into the beginning of Apr)