Who Wants to Win a Million Dollars versus Bloxorz

Learner’s Style

1.       KOLB-Based on Kolb’s learning styles, MY learning style is Converging (Abstract Conceptualization and Active Experimentation) with a stronger emphasis on the AC portion of the combination.  From the descriptions provided in the Resources, I find myself ‘experimenting with new ideas, to simulate, and to do work with practical applications.’  One of the most exciting aspects of teaching is that it is constantly changing.  I don’t like getting ‘stuck’ in one situation, but rather appreciate the opportunities to try new things.

2.       PRENSKY-Prensky’s article made me reflect quite a bit this week.  On Prensky’s list, I find myself, on average to be around a 4.  If Prensky is correct in saying that ‘A good portion of today’s learners exhibit characteristics that approach ‘1’ in this scale,’ educators do need to consider this information.  “Engage Me or Enrage Me,” however goes a bit far.  I totally agree that we should engage learners.  In fact, many times I find far more time preparing engaging activities for students than the activities take themselves.  However, engagement doesn’t have to equal entertainment.  I, as an adult, must make myself do a multitude of things that are neither engaging or entertaining.  I learned as a child that the world didn’t revolve around me and my needs, but that I was a contributing part of a family.  I think we can do a disservice to a learner if they are allowed to be enraged about what is expected of them.  I think it is important to provide a balance for learners to help them learn to rise to any occasion.

3.       VAK-I enjoyed completing this particular VAK self-assessment.  I have taken and used assessments like this before,  but I thought these questions were far better than any I have seen.  I usually answer nearly every question with a V, but on this survey I had a bit more variety in answers.  (15 V, 9K, and 6A).  These results appear to give a better perspective of my learning style.  One is likely to find themselves more balanced than most of the surveys I have seen before.

ANALYSIS of GAMES

Best Fit:

http://edicatopm/jlb.org/million/index.html

Least Best Fit:

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/games/bloxorz

1.       General Information-In Who Wants to Win a Million Dollars?, players (the contestant) answers a series of science/math questions that get progressively more difficult.  (If you have seen the game show with a similar title, you already know how to play)  This imitation game has 3 life-lines like the television show as well.  In Bloxorz, the player must manipulate a rectangular prism, while not falling off an edge, until able to drop the prism through a hole in the oddly-shaped flooring.  This logic game is described as addictive, and IT WAS!  I was terrible and it doesn’t suit my learning style, but I have played it a lot.  I even asked my best friend and my son to play so I could watch and steal ideas from them. 

2.       Comparison 1-Game Components

My game definition which includes components:  A game is an interactive, rule-dependent, representative, activity in which players experience motivation, and obstacles along the way.  Games are dynamic and cause emotional responses.

In Who Wants to Win a Million Dollars?, the following game components could be considered strong:  rule-dependency, motivating, and obstacle-ridden.  For this game, the following components were less-evident:  interaction, dynamics, and representation.  For me, this game was far less interactive than the simulations from last week.  In addition, the game was not dynamic.  Although the questions changed and I was trying to answer the string of questions, I was really just answering knowledge-based questions.  Finally, I didn’t find the game to be representative.  I realize that it was supposed to be like the game show but I don’t think that was achieved.

In Bloxorz, the following components are strongly represented:  rule-dependent, motivating, emotional, and dynamic. A weaker component in this game is representation.  I never once felt like I was a part of something while playing this game.  I was simple moving that crazy prism around trying to get it into that hole.  I was just trying to use the little bit of logic I have.

From my vantage point, both games had similar strengths and weaknesses.  It is, however, the logic required by Bloxorz that makes it less suited for me.  Both games were motivating to me.  I spent a great deal of time playing Bloxorz because I was frustrated and really wanted to figure it out.  I don’t usually persist when faced with this type of challenge, so I give high marks to Bloxorz.  The Millionaire game was motivating to me because I knew I could do it, even if it took me a few tries and the Googling of a few answers.

3.       Comparison 2-Learning Styles

Who Wants to Win a Million Dollars? is the best fit for my Converging learning style.  Part of the description given in the Oncourse Resources states that  people with a Converging learning style can “solve problems and will use their learning to find solutions to practical problems.”  That describes me quite well.  If I couldn’t remember and answer or didn’t know an answer, I enjoyed trying to find out before I chose and lost all of my money.  This game provided me with some good review and the opportunity to learn some new information.

Bloxorz least fits my Converging learning style but I will need to explain further because that may not be apparent at first glance.  The reason this game doesn’t fit my learning style is because my thinking is far better when the thinking involves words and not pictures or spatial challenges.  I also don’t like to play games that require thinking ahead a great deal (I hate checkers and chess for that reason).  Bloxorz challenges me in areas where I have my greatest weaknesses.  I think Bloxorz would be better for someone with a Assimilating learning style.