Zagami, J. (2014, October). Secondary Worlds and computer gaming in Education. Paper presented at the Australian Council for Computers in Education Conference, Adelaide, Australia. Retrieved from http://acec2014.acce.edu.au/sites/2014/files/attachments/ACEC2014%20Secondary%20Worlds%20and%20computer%20gaming%20in%20Education.docx Fantasy worlds have long enthralled and engaged our imaginations with Tolkien defining those of sufficient detail as Secondary Worlds, distinct from the Primary World of our everyday experience. Within such worlds we can imaginatively explore beyond the narratives provided us and by combining such worlds with the interactivity of games, particularly computer games, extending this ability to explore persistent Secondary Worlds that we can influence and change, share experiences with others, and contribute to the mythologies of these worlds. This rich exploration provides opportunities to learn by enhancing the mental models constructed by our explorations of Secondary Worlds and transferring this learning to the mental models held of similar concepts in the Primary World. Two case studies are briefly detailed to clarify the concepts presented, firstly the use of a Year 8 Social Studies simulation of the world of StatecraftX in which empire building, resource management, and refugee dilemmas provided a context for student engagement with a Secondary World and transfer concepts developed in world to those under study; and secondly, the use of the Secondary world of the Simpsons, particularly the Springfield Primary School, as a familiar Secondary World setting in which to explore teacher education situations and transfer learning to real world practice.

2. Secondary Worlds and computer
gaming in Education

3. Dr Jason Zagami
jason.zagami.info

4. Lecturer
Griffith University
School of Education and Professional Studies
Gold Coast

7. Australian Council for
Computers in Education
President
Editor
Australian Educational Computing
Australian College of
Educators
(Gold Coast Region)
President
ADE
Apple Distinguished Educator
Google Certified Teacher

8. Secondary Worlds

11. Multiplayer Games

12. Peggy Sheehy

13. Games

19. Popularity of Computer Games

20. Play

21. Challenge

22. Reward

23. Leveling

24. ZPD

25. Creativity

26. Risk Taking

27. Rapid Problem Solving

28. Simulations

29. Simulations

30. Simulations

31. Simulations

33. Education through
Secondary Worlds

34. Mental Models

49. Secondary Worlds

50. Philosophic
Epic
Naïve

51. simschool.org

58. Difficulties of differentiation
Sequencing and structuring
Planned vs Dynamic preparation

59. Pressure to resort to group
instruction
Point at which this occurs
Strategies to avert/delay

60. Learning Analytics
Emotional Aspects
Roleplay of teacher stereotypes

62. Student Feedback on teaching
Student Performance
Roleplay of teacher stereotypes

63. Analysing Students
Depersonalising Students

65. 25 Seasons since 1989
530 episodes

74. Hermione Granger

75. Philosophic
Epic
Naïve

76. Dr Jason Zagami
Griffith University
www.zagami.info

78. Dr Jason Zagami
Griffith University
www.zagami.info