“Immersive game-based learning” (IGBL) is a teaching tool at the Community College of Aurora, reports the Denver Post.
In one building on CCA’s Lowry campus, there are numerous simulated areas — a multiroom house, a bar, an outdoor cafe, even an ambulance in which students can practice treating trauma victims or responding to an event.
“There’s one where the EMT students go into the house and see a man handcuffed and badly injured, and a woman and child off in another area,” (Colorado Community College System president Nancy) McCallin said. “Almost always, the student goes to the woman, but that’s always wrong — it turns out she was the abusive parent and it was the man who needed immediate medical attention.”
One of the latest additions is a simulated courtroom, complete with a jury box. Expected to be operational by next month, “Law and Order: EDU” will be run by Margaret Uchner, CCA’s legal studies program coordinator and a former deputy district attorney in Douglas County.
Students and faculty enjoy IGBL courses, according to surveys.
“There are studies that show that the more engaged students are, the more likely their chances for success and their excitement about the future increases,” McCallin said.
Other Colorado community colleges are experimenting with IGBL, reports Community College Weekly.
The Auto Collision Repair program at Morgan Community College purchased a SimSpray immersive virtual reality painting simulation unit. . . . The 3D SimSpray experience, aimed at students who play video games, allows students to practice painting before ever stepping into the paint bay.
At Front Range Community College, curriculum designer Kae Novak, who specializes in game-based immersive environments and virtual worlds, designed “Project Outbreak.” It’s a series of augmented reality scenarios in which microbiology students track and follow a potential epidemic in their local area to its source across international borders. Students use their mobile devices, the TagWhat geolocation app, Google Hangout and Google maps. Scenarios are designed to meet core competencies, promote global connectedness and give students a global perspective in solving real-world problems.
Angie Generose, an adjunct instructor at the Community College of Denver, is teaching a systemwide student success course through ACCESS, a web-based game modeled after the board game “Life.”
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