Chee is an Associate
Professor in the Learning Sciences & Technologies
Academic Group and the Learning Sciences Lab at the
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological
University (NTU). He obtained his BSc (Econ) Hons from
the London School of Economics and Political Science,
University of London, and his PhD from the University of
Queensland, Australia.
Chee
currently conducts research on learning environments and
the learning sciences, focusing especially on the use of
distributed multimedia computer technologies in
promoting learning and educational goals. Current
research efforts focus on simulation-based virtual
reality collaborative learning environments, 3D gaming
for learning, and learning environments for the
development of argumentation skills.
Chee is a member of the
Cognitive Science Society, the Association for Computing
Machinery, the Australian Computer Society, the American
Educational Research Association, the International AI
in Education Society, the International Society for the
Learning Sciences, and the Jean Piaget Society. He has
been an Executive Committee Member of the Asia-Pacific
Society for Computers in Education (APSCE) since 1994
and became President of the Society for a two-year term
from January 2004.
Chee was an editorial board member of the
International Journal of Educational
Telecommunications (1995-2001). He is currently an
Editorial Board Member of the International Journal
of Web Based Communities. He is also the Executive
Editor of APSCE's journal, Research and Practice in
Technology Enhanced Learning.
In his previous employment at the National University of
Singapore, Prof Chee was with the School of Computing
where he taught course modules related to Cognitive
Science, Human-Computer Interaction, and the Design of
Learning Technologies. He also headed research efforts
in the Learning Environments & Learning Science Lab. In
addition, Prof Chee held the positions of Associate
Director, Centre for the Development of Teaching and
Learning (February 1999-December 2002) and Deputy
Director, Centre for Instructional Technology (February
1999-May 2000).
Abstract
Embodiment, Embeddedness, and Experience: Foundations of Game Play for Identity Construction
Yam San Chee
National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, 1 Nanyang Walk, Singapore 637616
yschee@nie.edu.sg
There is considerable interest today in the use of computer games for student learning. Researchers, as well as educators, recognize that games can engage students in sustained and focused mental activity for extended periods of time. Indeed, game playing often occurs at the expense of more traditional forms of learning and schoolwork. Should we bemoan this fact, or should we seize the opportunity to harness gaming technology for teaching and learning? Does learning by game playing necessarily contradict what education is all about? For those persuaded about the value of learning by game playing, how can the design and use of computer games be introduced into classroom learning that is carried out in the broader context of school-based practices?
In this keynote address, I explore the dimensions of embodiment, embeddedness, and experience in learning by game playing. I argue that these are productive and powerful elements that can help students establish a sense of being, develop agency and self-directedness in their learning experience, and, ultimately, construct a personal identity. I shall also examine the construct of identityin education and address its importance in the light of New Literacies. The foregoing ideas will be presented in the context of ongoing research into learning by game playing at the Learning Sciences Lab of the National Institute of Education, Singapore. The broader goal of this research endeavor is to investigate and design ways in which game playing might be introduced and used in classroom teaching and learning such that the innovation is pedagogically sound and sustainable.
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