Epistemic Youth Development: Educational Games as Youth Development Activities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: Learning in Educational Games

Abstract

Current learning and developmental theory argues that social contexts play a key role in preparing young people for the adult world. Youth need to learn how to make decisions in complex situations—situations where basic tasks are guided by pro-social norms. This preliminary study examines whether one epistemic game—a computer game that simulates a professional training experience—equips its players with a professional way of seeing and solving problems. Our results show that players of this urban planning game, called Urban Science, begin to link the skills and knowledge of the planning profession with the particular values of urban planning. These results suggest games like Urban Science are promising ways to teach valued adult ways of thinking.

Authors

• Padraig Nash, University of California - Berkeley

• David W. Shaffer, University of Wisconsin