Wednesday 7 November 2012

Journal Assignment #2



Journal assignment #2
Anna Rankin
Building on the Social Layer

http://www.ted.com/pages/talk_usage_policy




Objective
The internet has been built and the framework is established.  The second wave of development is beginning.  Seth Preibatsch explains in the Ted talk video ‘Building on the Social Layer’ that this wave is about how games can and will influence social behaviour.  He discusses four game dynamics: the appointment dynamic where individuals are compelled to act or convene at a particular time, the status dynamic where people are motivated to act or behave based on enhanced status, the progression dynamic where individuals are compelled to act based on completion of tasks, and the communal discovery which leverages societal capacity to enhance an outcome. 

Reflective
It is interesting to see how such a young person can see so clearly the future of this framework and the advantages of participating.  The gaming possibilities provide vast opportunity for marketing and education.

Interpretive
I am wary of the abuse of this power.  Although marketing and selling is a benign form of manipulation it is manipulation. But as the speaker suggests there is great potential to use gaming for the good of society.  I can see advantages in utilizing educational games that engage and motivate students by turning learning into a game that is rewarded.  I also see great value in using social gaming to influence societal behaviours in areas such as sustainability.  The possibilities are endless when you consider the power of levereging the aspects of communal discovery.  Overall, there is probably more positive than negative coming in this next wave of internet development.

Decisional
I will continue to consider gaming as a learning tool and seek out opportunities to engage and motivate students through use of internet resources that might inspire.  I will also be wary that the very same tools are being aimed at me to influence my behaviours as a consumer.  I like to think I’m not controlled by anyone or anything, but I have a strong suspicion that it happens all the time! 

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