The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Traning and Education

Kapp, Karl M. The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-Based Methods and Strategies for Traning and Education. 2012. 302p. ISBN 9781118096345.

In the last 30 years, the arrival of computers in schools changed education from a process driven by a teacher standing in front of the classroom distributing information while students took notes, to one where students are increasingly more responsible for guiding their own learning. One of the major change that has occurred has been the addition of games in educational settings, particularly video games. Used as engaging tools to develop skills and deliver content, digital games have evolved from off-the-shelf commercial games adapted for narrow purposes in specific school programs, to a bevy of educational games developed specifically for the educational market and its 1:1 program of providing a device for every student.

Digital engagement is important to motivate students and foster curiosity, but games can do so much more, from developing life-long interests to exploring topics in a safe and secure manner. Ultimately, gamification gives the student more control over their own educational outcomes. The Gamification of Learning and Instruction explores what gamification is, and how games can be developed to achieve specific learning goals and objectives. Learning theories are explored and applied to gamification, and the results of decades of research is presented to explain how games can be effective in education. The various types of game players are examined, before delving into the role of novice and expert players. Finally, gamification design processes are outlined. 

Those interested in how games can be implemented in a classroom will appreciate the details presented in this book that remains factual almost a decade after being first published.

When Dimple Met Rishi

Menor, Sandhya. When Dimple Met Rishi. 2017. 380p. ISBN 978-1-48147868-7. Available at FIC MEN on the library shelves.

Dimple Shah is looking forward to the rest of her life, despite her mother’s best efforts at marrying her off to a good Indian man. A recent high school graduate, she’s heading to Stanford in the fall to study web design. Before then, however, she’s hoping to attend a six weeks programming competition. Money is tight in her household, so it will be a problem paying the tuition for this short program. If she wins, Dimple will get to meet her idol, a star app creator. Surprisingly, talking her parents into paying for her participation turns out to be a lot easier than she expected. Generally, her mother would always try to convince her she needs to find a husband and she therefore needs to look pretty, but not this time. This time, she agrees to let her daughter go. Happy, Dimple is ready to compete.

Rishi Patel is heading to the same summer program with one goal in mind. To meet his future wife, Dimple. The Shahs and the Patels, who met each other eight years ago have arranged for Rishi to marry Dimple. Rishi has seen Dimple only in photos, but he already knows she’s the one for him. His parents couldn’t be wrong, could they? Rishi looks forward to courting Dimple and lavishing her with attention. He’s fine with an arranged marriage, because provides stability, honors an Indian tradition, and makes things easy for him. Only, when he first meets her and greets her with “Hello, my future wife,” she throws coffee in his face and wants nothing to do with it. Dimple, as it turns out, did not know her parents were setting her up with Rishi, and she wants him gone from this competition, especially since he’s not really into app design.

Unfortunately, it’s too late. Rishi requested Dimple as his partner, and since she did not express a preference they are now paired together, and they have to work as a team to complete an app. With Rishi being a hopeless romantic, and Dimple a complete cynic who’s mad at her parents for even trying to set this up, will the two of them be able to successfully compete this summer?

Warcross

Lu, Marie. Warcross. Book 1 of the Warcross series. 2017. 353p. ISBN 978-0-399-54796-6. Available at FIC LU on the library shelves.

Ever since the death of her father, Emika Chen has had to fend for herself. Left with massive gambling debts, she was sent to the orphanage, and eventually ran away. The only solace she has found is the game Warcross, an online virtual reality platform that has grown to become the new Internet. Though Warcross brought thousands of new business ideas and entertainment options to the world, it also brought a seedy underside, and law enforcement worldwide has been trying to catch up with the criminals that have abused Warcross. A dedicated hacker in New York City, Emika turned to bounty hunting to support herself, chasing down low level criminals that the police has no time or manpower to catch. She barely hangs on, though, and she’s behind on her rent.

With the Warcross Championship starting, Emika decides to hack into Warcross’s Opening Ceremony through a vulnerability she discovered and steal a power-up, which she can then sell on the black market. Everything goes according to plan, except for the appearance of her avatar in the Ceremony. Now the entire world wants to know, who is Emika Chen? Such a feat is sure to send the police to her doorstep, but in the morning she is surprised to only see the media outside. Her phone has several dozen messages, asking her to contact a Warcross corporate number. When she finally does, she receives an offer she can’t refuse. Hideo Tanaka, the young billionaire owner and inventor of Warcross, wants to fly her to Japan to meet with him. Emika has always dreamed of meeting Tanaka, but never thought it would happen. Now, she flies in a private jet around the world, and meets with Tanaka. As serious in person as he is on screen and in his media appearances, Tanaka is impressed with her hacking skills, and offers her a job. She will be entered in the Warcross draft as a wildcard, and will be selected by one of the international teams competing for the Warcross Championship. Her mission is to uncover the identity of a hacker named Zero, something Warcross’ best corporate hackers have been unable to do. Zero plans something big for the Warcross championships, and Tanaka wants to prevent him from reaching his goal.

As Emika digs in the profiles of contestants and snoops around the Dark layers of Warcross, she begins to unravel Zero’s sinister plot, which could cripple the Warcross platform. Now falling for Tanaka, every step Emika takes brings her closer to a confrontation with the obscure Zero, putting her and Tanaka in more than virtual danger...

Eyes & Spies: How You’re Tracked and Why You Should Know

Kyi, Tanya Lloyd. Eyes & Spies: How You’re Tracked and Why You Should Know. 2017. 135p. ISBN 978-1-55451-911-8. Available at 323.44 KYI on the library shelves.

Whenever you click on a like button, send out an email, walk down the street, or use a cellphone, someone is capturing this information and compiling and storing it somewhere. From governments monitoring communication channels and multiple video feeds to corporations following your online presence and accumulating information on your preferences so they can sell you more products, nothing in the digital world is truly anonymous. How much information is actually collected, however, remains a secret, but Eyes & Spies takes a critical look at several aspects of how information is collected, by whom, and how it is then used.

Six chapters each explore a specific topic, from surveillance cameras to surfing data collection, from online bullying to one’s privacy in their home. The information presented flows in an accessible language, and arguments defending both an increase in surveillance and an increase in privacy are presented after each issue. The reader is asked to reflect on what they read through prompts following specific real-life cases. Finally, controversial cases that have been in the news the last decade are explored.

Ultimately, defending one’s right to keep information private comes down to deciding how much freedom can be traded for security, and being aware of what governments, organizations, and individuals are doing.

What is a Database and How do I Use it?

Anniss, Matt. What is a Database and How do I Use it? 2014. 48p. ISBN 978-1-62275-078-8. Available at 005.74 ANN on the library shelves.

What is a database? How do I use it? These are the two essential questions this book examines. From humble beginnings as sheets of paper that could be sorted, the database evolved to become a complex computer application that is used to store and retrieve information. This book guides the reader through the history and evolution of the database, and it explains some of the complex processes that power the user’s ability to search, manipulate, and modify virtually millions of pieces of information at the click of a mouse.

A short book, the overview it provides on an idea so simple yet so complex helps the reader understand an aspect of modern life that is often not well known. Structured Query Language (SQL), data security, and social media databases are also explored.

Their Fractured Light

Kaufman, Amie and Megan Spooner. Their Fractured Light. Book 3 of the Starbound series. 2015. 425p. ISBN 9781423171041. Available at FIC KAU on the library shelves.

Two years ago, in These Broken Stars, Tarver Merendsen, a soldier, and Lilac LaRoux, daughter of the richest man in the galaxy, were shipwrecked on a seemingly deserted planet when the Icarus was wrenched out of hyperspace and exploded before crashing on the surface. There they encountered strange whispers, beings from another dimension whom they successfully released, but not before Lilac died and was brought back.

A year ago, in This Shattered World, Captain Jubilee Chase hunted rebels on Avon when she encountered Flynn, and together they discovered that LaRoux industries had created a Rift on their planet, causing people to become husks, entities controlled by the whispers. They successfully released a broadcast warning the galaxy this was happening.

Today Sophia Quinn has escaped from Avon and successfully made her way to Corinth, home of LaRoux industries. Her father became a suicide bombed during Avon’s conflict, and she wants to avenge his death. For the last year, she has been pursued by the Nave of Hearts, a heartless individual whose intentions are unclear. Gideon Marchant, meanwhile, is a brilliant computer hacker willing to do just about anything to accomplish his mission. When Sophia and Gideon find themselves together attempting to escape LaRoux’s showcase room, where they discovered another Rift machine, they realize that they have common cause against their enemy. But the secrets they harbor could very well end their relationship before they have the chance to truly put an end to LaRoux’s plans for domination of the galaxy.

Bringing the six characters back together, this book skillfully concludes this trilogy with intense action and discovery of self.