Learning Theory Mash-Up

My learning theory mash-up uses three theories of learning combined to create my own learning theory.  This theory applies to both my teaching style/philosophy and creating educational experiences for my students through gaming in the classroom.

From Anchored Instruction, I like the ability to unite a group of learners with a shared experience. As proven in our online experience aboard the Prometheus, learners from different backgrounds and experiences can come together quickly after a shared experience.

The Elaboration Theory expresses a key factor in building successful games, moving from simple to complex.  Allowing the learner to understand the big idea (get to the end of the maze), then focus on one detail (jump over lava) and then move back out to the big picture (jump over lava to get to the end of the maze), and so on increasing difficulty with each step sets the learner up for success.

As learners play through games, drawing on previous knowledge and past experience, as in Discovery Learning, they are able to create new meaning and discover new relationships. This theory supports both simulation-based learning and problem-based learning.

Mission: Ticking Timebomb

Our latest mission was set in motion as we received a video transmission from Severus Spyker asking for our help in saving the crew from the Isis Tempus. Their top secret experiment with a new power source had gone completely wrong. Although, most of the crew had been evacuated, their reactors had become unstable and were going to explode. We were asked to find the reactor codes and disable the system before it explodes.
As I tried to board the Prometheus to begin my assignment, I knew I was in trouble.  Technical difficulties from my computer created problems for me connecting with the crew.  I was able to finally board as Commander Haskell was just ending the briefing on our mission.  Things continued to get worse as my computer sporadically dropped my connection.  I made it onto the flight deck and Pilot Commander JPosey allowed me to board with her crew on our flight to Isis.  Upon boarding, my computer glitched again and I was unable to safely secure my seat for the flight.  Seconds later I was dropping through the atmosphere finally landing in the water with a splash.  After further exploration, I discovered a nearby island that may have served as a burial ground for the Isis Crew if I did not hurry to rejoin my team and their urgent mission.  I sent a distress call out to the other members of the science team via the science back channel, hoping someone would receive my signal.  Thankfully within minutes two crew members had offered to teleport me to their location on Isis.
Once on board, I rejoined my team and began scanning the area for clues to shutting down the reactors.  Receiving the following rating "[17:31] Anomaly: TerraMetric Analyzer:  Radiation Level ELEVATED" I knew we were in trouble. I began to feel nausea and my head was pounding. It was at that moment... I blacked out completely. Luckily, before the blackout I was able to mark my location and I returned to Isis without difficulty. When I came around, everyone was scrambling to evacuate and return home. Thankfully, my flight home was less eventful and I rejoined the crew on the Prometheus and after Spyker was safe in sick bay we debriefed our mission.

What a night for computer problems. I was really frustrated coming in late to the briefing and I only caught the end of the discussion explaining how to move between floors on the Isis.  I was happy to have the science back channel for support (thanks guys!).  When I fell out of the aircraft I thought about sending an IM to Dr. Haskell, but tried to problem solve first.  It was great to have the science crew for support, and I quickly received coordinates to head back to the ship.  Of course once I was there, I continued having connection issues and just as I received instruction to begin showing symptoms of sickness, I had to restart my computer.  I rejoined Second Life just as the evacuation was taking place.  The debriefing back on the ship was great for me.  It filled in all the missing gaps in the timeline of my evening.  I had a much different experience than everyone else, but I can say I still enjoyed it and learned a lot.