Reflection of the Training for Trainers in Game-based Learning Workshop (Session 1)

I facilitated my first Training for Trainers (TOT) workshop in Creative Multimedia Department this Monday (9 April 2012). Before the training was started, I read a shocking email about the death of a colleague--Dr. Roskang Jailani (http://roskang.blogspot.com). Dr. Roskang was my Head of Department before I left UPSI in March 2008 for my PhD study. It was really hard for me to start the workshop, esp when it is dealt with games and game playing, in which fun is a must. Nonetheless, I should not disappoint others who attended the training. I started by mourning for Dr. Roskang--life must go on.

To me, the aim of conducting TOT among academics in the department is twofold:

• to share knowledge and interest of individual academics, which could keep others aware of the expertise and strength within the department, thus complementing each other in daily academic practices. 
• to prepare ourselves for continuous challenges to be faced when dealing with people in other academic institutions and business entities in the creative industry. 

As my colleagues are experts themselves in their own field of study, thus it was quite awkward to "train" them. But then such session would be a great platform to share knowledge, skills and experience. In sharing, it involves give and take. From the feedback I received, I should be more direct and less "theoretical". Since the trainers will eventually train school teachers, thus the content should be more directive, instead of constructivist. In fact, I was exposing them to possibilities of game, rather than feeding them with existing game-based learning (GBL) solutions. But they expect to pick-up-and-use immediately.

Ideally, one would need to establish the background understanding before he or she start using games in teaching practice, or else misuse might happen, which make the scenario worst then not using games at all. In practice, people are so use to pick-up-and-use approach. This prompted me to review my approach--how to make in-depth theoretical content become pick-up-and-use?

I thank the support of Dr. Zam, my current Head of Department for making the TOT happened. In fact, the TOT was more like a discussion rather than me talking all the time. Herewith slides and presentation recording to share with you.

[The slide presentation plus narration will be placed here later]

Training for Trainers Game-based Learning Workshop (Creative Multimedia Department)

The first Training for Trainers (TOT) GBL Workshop, organised for academics in the Creative Multimedia Department of FSKIK (Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative Industry) will be held on the 9th April 2012 and 16th April 2012. Herewith the topics to be covered in the training:

Dr. Tan Wee Hoe (9 Apr)

• The nature of games: digital versus non-digital games 
• Game-based learning versus learn-based gaming: Case studies of GBL and LBG practices
• Guidelines and strategies for using games in educational contexts 

Dr. Muhammad Zaffwan Idris, aka Dr. Zaff (9 Apr)

• Design Thinking in game and game-based learning 

Dr. -Ing. Maizatul Hayati Mohamad Yatim, aka Dr. Mai (16 Apr)

• Playing games vs designing games
• Educational programming languages (game authoring and creation tools)
• Theory & Practices: Designing and developing a simple game using Scratch

I have been looking forward to run this workshop since January--after I conducted two sessions of workshop on exploring the potential of games and GBL for UPSI teacher trainers, technicians and supporting staff in FSKIK and staff of the Centre for Educational Technology and Multimedia (no longer exist) on 17 and 18 January 2012. 

The purpose of conducting this workshop is to nurture trainers in GBL practice among the academics of Creative Multimedia Department. I would like my colleague who have interests in GBL practice to become professional trainers through training. When this training reaches its maturity one day, a training module would be developed in parallel with the offer of Postgraduate Certificate in Game-based Learning. 

There are two highlights in this TOT: Dr. Mai and Dr. Zaff. 

In UPSI, Dr. Mai is an recognised expert in GBL--her research publications were cited in International Journal of Game-based Learning (IJGBL). When she pursued a doctorate in Germany, she developed a set of usability guideline for designing game authoring tool for children. (See her PhD thesis). In a broader sense of GBL, designing game is indeed a form of deep learning based on games, as opposed to learning through game playing. So I am eager to learn more from Dr. Mai in her session. 

Another highlight is Dr. Zaff, who received his Professional Doctorate in Design from Swinburne University of Technology. Recently I discovered that he has burning interests in designing innovative toys for education. As an expert in branding of institution of higher learning, Dr. Zaff's insight on games used in education is worth your serious attention. 

Another thing...

I will share a book chapter that I am writing now with the participants. So do attend this session and preview this chapter. 

For those who are not invited, no worry. I will get my newly appointed Research Assistant to record the audio (I decided not to show my face) for post-workshop sharing in this blog. 

Applying Grants for GBL R&D: An On-going Struggle

I have been trying to kick start R&D related to GBL since my return to Malaysia from UK in March 2011. My excitement was great as I had just completed my PhD in GBL. However, the proposals I wrote--two to Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) and another to Prototype Development Research Grant Scheme (PRGS)--were rejected by Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).

Herewith the topics of the rejected proposals:

1. Games as Instructional Interventions: Constructing a Learn-based Gaming Model for In-game Coaching and In-game Practice Design 

2. Formulating Heuristic Design Principles through Sun Tzu’s The Art of War: A Knowledge Transfer Model for Revitalising Ancient Chinese Wisdom for Use in Modern Design

3. eGET (eGlossary for Educational Technology) 

I felt really sorry for these rejection, mainly because I disappointed colleague and friends from UK, Hong Kong and Malaysia who entrusted me as the proposed project leader. Nonetheless, I believe there might be other sources of research fund available for these projects. I have confidence in the quality and professionalism of people who joined me, and I will keep an eye on other funding opportunities.

When I discussed the rejection with some professors in UPSI, they said the panels who reviewed the proposals might not know what I ACTUALLY want to do. In other words, the potential and importance of games and game-based learning practice for education are alien to senior academics in Malaysia. Therefore, I sense the need to promote GBL practice first before sending any more research proposals.

I managed to secure a mini-fund worth slightly over RM7000 (less than USD2500) to explore the potential of games and GBL through the eyes of teacher trainers. Also, I am grateful to have great support from my superiors and colleague in Creative Multimedia Department, Faculty of Art, Computing and Creative Industry. In a team, we initiated a series of activities to promote GBL at faculty-level, university-level and hopefully national level later. Once the right time arrives, I am ready to apply research grants again.  

Welcome to GBL4Malaysia!

Good day and welcome to GBL4Malaysia!
This is a blog I started to share my ideas, insights and opinions in game-based learning (GBL) practice, especially those related or dedicated to Malaysia. This is actually part of my initiatives in promoting GBL in Malaysia.

Before keeping a blog here, I wrote things about GBL occasionally in my other blogs. So my first task is to centralising what I had written in to past to here, probably with some editing to suit the contexts in Malaysia. Then I will share the drafts of chapters or book-in-writing here for you to comment. I also plan to share the records of my visits and participation in events related to GBL here.

I personally see this as a good start and I hope your visit to GBL4Malaysia become a meaningful experience.