Title: Experiential modes: a common ground for serious game designers

Authors: Robert L. Appelman

Addresses: Indiana University, School of Education, 201 N. Rose Ave., Bloomington IN 47405, USA

Abstract: Game designers are skilled in creating environments that are fun-filled and instructional designers are skilled in creating environments that foster learning. Today|s demand requires that they work together to make games that are immersive learning environments, and experiential modes (EM) are what both designers create to achieve their goals. This paper posits that any learning environment is a sequence of EMs as defined from the viewpoint of the learner, and that the starting point for designers to begin working together is at the common ground of Experiential Modes. By understanding the characteristics of games and simulations, specific EM|s can be defined that will allow these learning environments to be both fun and learning.

Keywords: games; simulation; instructional design; immersive learning environments; experiential modes; game design; game characteristics; simulation characteristics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2005.007713

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2005 Vol.15 No.3/4/5/6, pp.240 - 251

Published online: 03 Sep 2005 *

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