Ami Stovall

The artifact above is a Word document draft of my final project for this course where I designed the simulation using dice to assist learning the vital cumulative problem-solving concept in chemistry called dimensional analysis.

The above document is an visual simulation called a Mole Map, where students will use in the use of the patterns they identified from above simulated process to then use those patterns to work with the Mole Map and use it and the problem-solving skills learned from simulated learning to work chemistry problems with understanding of the critical thinking and problem-solving needed to learn and work in chemistry related content.

This course was a great learning experience for me. Before the course, I was not really into old-school or new digital games. I didn't understand the intention of the big picture point of spending time to play them other than maybe killing time. However, once I started diving into the first couple of weeks of this course, where we were challenged initially with playing Gamestar Mechanic, we were challenged with learning about the specifics of the game, reflecting on the process first as a player, and then beginning to understand the purpose, process, and full intentions and learning involved from using games and even simulations in learning. This, indeed, was an eye-opening experience for me! My viewpoint of games and simulations has changed personally and professionally regarding the connections between education and playing. This is great for younger learners today compared to the monodirectional severe critical learning experiences I didn't learn much from. I struggled throughout those awful experiences and didn't want to continue that learning journey. It is excellent to know that learning has changed significantly for learners today, such that for learners, learning can BE FUN, and there is more than one way to learn for the teachers and the learners! Kudos for teaching and learning improvements for all learners!