Comments on: Online games as training tools

By: Cubefield Game

Cubefield Game — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:48:27 +0000

This is a great post and its very creative indeed but if only you people would properly give cubefield a shot. Its a great game. Very addicitve and very entertaining to all age groups.

By: Cubefield Game

Cubefield Game — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:48:00 +0000

This is a great post and its very creative indeed but if only you people would properly give cubefield a shot. Its a great game. Very addicitve and very entertaining to all age groups.

By: Mary Hamilton

Mary Hamilton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:08:02 +0000

Aw, thanks – me too. One of the things that constantly surprises and delights me is how much there is to learn – not just skills and how to apply them, but history, context, trends, development.

Dungeons and Dreamers is on my reading list (somewhere after the Head First Guide to HTML and before the D&D 4E Player’s Handbook 2) – do you have any idea when the update is likely to be making an appearance?

And yes, I’m in England – Norwich mostly, though I get around when I’m not working. Are you visiting for anything in particular?

By: Mary Hamilton

Mary Hamilton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Aw, thanks – me too. One of the things that constantly surprises and delights me is how much there is to learn – not just skills and how to apply them, but history, context, trends, development.

And yes, I’m in England – Norwich mostly, though I get around when I’m not working. Are you visiting for anything in particular?

By: Brad King

Brad King — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:10:09 +0000

I love discussions with smart folks (although normally I end up discussing with people who disagree with me). I think there’s loads to learn from the MMO world. Not to pimp, but we wrote Dungeons + Dreamers in 2002 and we’re working on the update now. It’s all about games and community.

You’re in England, yes? I will be in London for 2 months next summer.

By: Brad King

Brad King — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:10:00 +0000

You’re in England, yes? I will be in London for 2 months next summer.

By: Mary Hamilton

Mary Hamilton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:22:23 +0000

Thanks for the comment – I see your point, and it makes a lot of sense.

As you say, MMOs are learning tools for emerging skills, and not necessarily great places to teach traditional ones.

While I think it’s possible to use MMOs to learn that way I also think you’re probably right that it’s not the best use of the tech or the time.

And thanks for the recommendations, too – they both look fascinating, and they’re the sort of history and context that I’m sorely in need of.

By: Mary Hamilton

Mary Hamilton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:22:00 +0000

Thanks for the comment – I see your point, and it makes a lot of sense.

As you say, MMOs are learning tools for emerging skills, and not necessarily great places to teach traditional ones.

While I think it’s possible to use MMOs to learn that way I also think you’re probably right that it’s not the best use of the tech or the time.

And thanks for the recommendations, too – they both look fascinating, and they’re the sort of history and context that I’m sorely in need of.

By: Brad King

Brad King — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:02:17 +0000

The distinction is in the traditional skills. You fact check rumors the same way we have always fact checked rumors. There is nothing inherently new about that. You investigate. Even with emerging reputation systems, for instance, you still have to get to primary sources.

My thesis on storytelling is there are traditional skills and emerging skills. MMOs will not be great at teaching copy editing. They just won’t. I can do that in far better settings.

But, as you point out, there are emerging skills where games, virtual environments, collective actions can be taught. And that’s what makes sense.

As a technologist and a writer, I’ve found that it’s best to use technology in places where it makes a task easier and best to leave it be in places where it doesn’t.

(and FTR, the cluetrain manifesto answers many of your questions – as did life on The Well. If you haven’t read TCM or read The Well, I highly recommend them.)

By: Brad King

Brad King — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:02:00 +0000

My thesis on storytelling is there are traditional skills and emerging skills. MMOs will not be great at teaching copy editing. They just won’t. I can do that in far better settings.

But, as you point out, there are emerging skills where games, virtual environments, collective actions can be taught. And that’s what makes sense.

As a technologist and a writer, I’ve found that it’s best to use technology in places where it makes a task easier and best to leave it be in places where it doesn’t.

(and FTR, the cluetrain manifesto answers many of your questions – as did life on The Well. If you haven’t read TCM or read The Well, I highly recommend them.)