on the development of asynchronous workflow-based group simulations [slides]

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On the Development of Workflow-based Asynchronous Group Simulations© 2005 - Sofos Consultancy (Pieter van der Hijden)

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sofos consultancy

Pieter van der Hijden, ISAGA 2005, Atlanta, USA


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Introduction

game

learning

real world

experience

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3

Introduction

� Synchronous Games


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Introduction

� Asynchronous Games

� � ��

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5

Introduction

E-mail gamesMulti-user

entertainment

games via

Internet

Distribited

(not at the same

place)

(not really used)Training games

Classroom

Games

Central

(at the same

place)

AsynchronousSynchronous


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Introduction

� Contribution of ICT

� Accepts inputs from

participant

� Presents resources,

status, and results

� Calculates feedback

� Enforces rules and

workflow

� Creates logbook entries

� Connects to peripheral

devices

� Connects to the rest of

the world

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7

Introduction

� Workflow (order of

activities associated

with a particular task)

� “Hard-wired” with fixed

content

� “Hard-wired” with

replaceable content

� Programmable by the

user


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Frame of Reference

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Synchronous games

� Educational aspects

� Motivation

� Communication

� Roles

� Organisational aspects

� Technological aspects


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Asynchronous games

� Educational aspects

� Motivation

� Communication

� Roles

� Organisational aspects

� Technological aspects

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Comparison

• Participants have

control over their

physical environment

• Roles may vary in load

and attractiveness

• Roles can be played

by external

professionals

• Peer pressure

• Session is not

interrupted

• External disturbances

can be avoided

• Face to face meetings

• Formal and informal

communication

• Roles cannot block the

progress of the game

• Speed of play is high,

intensive

Educatio-

nal

aspects

AsynchronousSynchronousCategory

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13

Comparison

• Participants do not

have to travel

• Participants can

choose when to

participate

• Participants can

combine game with

other activities

• Facilitator or external

professionals may run

concurrent sessions

• Facilitator has full

control over physical

environment

• Easy overview

• Easy interventions

Organisa-

tional

aspects



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Comparison

• All communication can

be logged

• Information and

communications

technology is not

necessary

Technolo-

gical

aspects


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Blended solutions

Example I:

� Synchronous Briefing

� Asynchronous Session

� Synchronous Debriefing

Example II:

� Synchronous Team in Asynchronous Game


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Recommended Practice

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Educational Practice

Peer Pressure � Personal Visibility

(picture, home page)


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Peer Pressure � Motivating & Attractive E-mails (rich media)

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Peer Pressure � Wake-up Calls, Monitoring


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Concentration � Status Info,

Personal WebLog

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Meetings � Collaborative Workspace, Forums,

Voting, Polling,

Brainstorming


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Informal � Free exchange

Communication of e-mails,

Help System

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Game Board � Statistical

Bulletins


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Progress � Maximum Time, Exception Handling

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Speed � Pseudo Activities


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Organisational Practice

Physical Environment � Briefing, Paraphernalia

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Monitoring � Logbook


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Interventions � Email to role,

Role Switch

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Technical Practice

Architecture � Client – Server

clientserver

open acs

hardware hardware

web browser

internet

linux op.system

aol web server

postgresql

operating system

workflow

simulation


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Technical Practice

System Development � Workflow Engine

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Technical Practice

System Use � Professional System Management

developing

sieberdam

rocs

system

hosting of

sieberdam

rocs

system

editing

sieberdam

rocs

city content

writing

sieberdam

rocs

sim. models

administering

sieberdam

rocs

sim. sessions

participating in

sieberdam

rocs

sim. sessions


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Development Process

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Definition phase

� Context

� Educational

� Organisational

� Technical

� Purpose

� Synchronous /

Asynchronous /

Blended


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Design Phase

� Specification of the

Workflow

� Specification of all

Learning Resources

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Realisation Phase

� Programming the

Workflow

� Creating Learning

Resources (Rich Media)


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Implementation Phase

� Acceptance Test

� System Management

� Transfer to Client

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Conclusion


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Conclusion

�Asynchronous games have great

potential for

�Training-on-demand

�Distance education

�Their drawbacks can be

compensated during the

development process

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Conclusion


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References

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References

� On the Development of Workflow-based

Asynchronous Group Simulations; Pieter van der

Hijden; ISAGA 2005; (www.sofos.nl)

� Picture of Hex (© R. Duke) Session

� Screenshots

� Moodle at Learning Networks

(moodle.learningnetworks.org)

� Sieberdam/ROCS (www.rechtenonline.nl � Support)

� BSCW – Basic Support for Cooperative Work

(http://www.bscw.de)

on the development of asynchronous workflow-based group simulations [slides]

Documents

development of workflow

sofos consultancy pieter

asynchronous gameon

hijden frame of referenceon

aspects technology

face meetings roles

synchronous team

external professionals