Physical Play and Children’s Digital Games


Book Description

Play engages humans cognitively, emotionally, and physically at all ages. Using a historical framework, and focusing on play as represented by material artifacts such as toys and games, this book explores play as a form of somatic engagement that reflects cultural attitudes about development and learning as these have evolved over time in western culture. Theorists in the twentieth century such as Klein and Winnicott, Huizinga and Callois, Piaget, Bruner and Vygotsy brought different perspectives to our understanding of play’s role in our society. In particular, Vygotsky’s theories about process provide insight into how children attend to learning and assimilate new information. The increasing use of digital media as both an entertainment and learning environment at ever-younger ages, is generating new discussions about the nature and value of play in children’s development, in particular, physical, or somatic play. The emphasis on games intended for children necessitates a discussion of the cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscience that supports play activities and physical engagement as a crucial aspect of development. The book then looks at the trajectory of digital games in contemporary culture and explores whether these artifacts (whether intended for learning or entertainment) have extended or are curtailing boundaries of somatic engagement. Finally, the book discusses alternative play and game design and, speculates on the future of new media play artifacts.




Play in the Early Years


Book Description

Play in the Early Years provides an accessible overview of key concepts, debates and approaches to children’s Play. This book: · Considers play from a variety of perspectives · Offers expert insights into theory and research in each area · Encourages the reader to critically reflect on both theory and practice With features including key terms, case studies, reflective questions, spotlights on research and an accompanying glossary, this text is perfect for everyone who is interested in Play - from those just starting undergraduate degrees through to those with more advanced knowledge or experience.




Serious Games


Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 9th Joint International Conference on Serious Games, JCSG 2023, held in Dublin, Ireland, during October 26–27, 2023. The 18 full papers presented together with 9 short papers and 14 poster papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 53 submissions. They are grouped into the following topics: technology and systems; theoretical and design aspects; health and wellbeing; extended realities; soft and social skills; academic skills; and posters and exhibits.




Learning by Playing


Book Description

There is a growing recognition in the learning sciences that video games can no longer be seen as impediments to education, but rather, they can be developed to enhance learning. Educational and developmental psychologists, education researchers, media psychologists, and cognitive psychologists are now joining game designers and developers in seeking out new ways to use video game play in the classroom. In Learning by Playing, a diverse group of contributors provide perspectives on the most current thinking concerning the ramifications of leisure video game play for academic classroom learning. The first section of the text provides foundational understanding of the cognitive skills and content knowledge that children and adolescents acquire and refine during video game play. The second section explores game features that captivate and promote skills development among game players. The subsequent sections discuss children and adolescents' learning in the context of different types of games and the factors that contribute to transfer of learning from video game play to the classroom. These chapters then form the basis for the concluding section of the text: a specification of the most appropriate research agenda to investigate the academic potential of video game play, particularly using those games that child and adolescent players find most compelling. Contributors include researchers in education, learning sciences, and cognitive and developmental psychology, as well as instructional design researchers.




The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development


Book Description

The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development is a short read book that delves into the importance of play in a child's life. This book explores various aspects of child development and how play contributes to cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and sensory development. The table of contents is organized in a comprehensive manner, covering a wide range of topics related to play and child development. It starts with an introduction to the power of play and its significance in child development. The subsequent chapters delve into specific areas of development, such as cognitive development, physical development, social development, emotional development, and imagination and creativity. Language development and sensory development are also explored, highlighting how play can enhance these skills in children. The book further delves into the importance of play in developing problem-solving skills, executive function, risk-taking, and resilience. Play-based learning is discussed in detail, emphasizing how play can be an effective tool for educational purposes. The book also explores different types of play, including outdoor play, play and technology, and play therapy. The impact of play on gender, cultural differences, parent-child bonding, school readiness, emotional regulation, and imagination is thoroughly examined. The book also highlights the role of play in promoting physical health, problem-solving abilities, peer relationships, parental involvement, creativity, self-expression, brain development, and learning through play. To address any queries or concerns, the book includes a section of frequently asked questions. Additionally, readers are encouraged to reach out with their questions or comments. In addition to the valuable insights provided in this book, readers will also receive a bonus. By purchasing The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development, readers will receive a complimentary copy of How To Be A Super Mom, a guide that offers tips and advice on being an exceptional mother. Overall, The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development is a must-read for parents, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the crucial role of play in a child's development. This title is a short read. A Short Read is a type of book that is designed to be read in one quick sitting. These no fluff books are perfect for people who want an overview about a subject in a short period of time. Table of Contents The Power of Play: Why It's Essential for Child Development Cognitive Development Physical Development Social Development Emotional Development Imagination and Creativity Language Development Sensory Development Problem-Solving Skills Executive Function Risk-Taking and Resilience Play-Based Learning Types of Play Play and Technology Play Therapy Outdoor Play Play and Gender Play and Cultural Differences Play and Parent-Child Bonding Play and School Readiness Play and Emotional Regulation Play and Imagination Play and Physical Health Play and Problem-Solving Play and Peer Relationships Play and Parental Involvement Play and Creativity Play and Self-Expression Play and Brain Development Play and Learning Through Play Frequently Asked Questions Have Questions / Comments?




Communicative Cities and Urban Space


Book Description

Cities have long been recognized as key sites for fostering new communication practices. However, as contemporary cities experience major changes, how do diverse inhabitants encounter each other? How do cities remember? What is the role of the built environment in fostering sites for public communication in a digital era? Communicative Cities and Urban Space offers a critical analysis of contemporary changes in the relation between urban space and communication. This volume seeks to understand the situatedness of contemporary communication practices in diverse contexts of urban life, and to explore digitized urban space as a historically specific communicative environment. The essays in this book collectively propose that the concept of the ‘communicative city’ is a productive frame for rethinking the above questions in the context of 21st-century ‘media cities’. They challenge us to reconsider qualities such as openness, autonomy and diversity in contemporary urban communication practices, and to identify factors that might expand or constrict communicative possibilities. Students and scholars of communication studies and urban studies would benefit from this book.




The Dark Side of Game Play


Book Description

Games allow players to experiment and play with subject positions, values and moral choice. In game worlds players can take on the role of antagonists; they allow us to play with behaviour that would be offensive, illegal or immoral if it happened outside of the game sphere. While contemporary games have always handled certain problematic topics, such as war, disasters, human decay, post-apocalyptic futures, cruelty and betrayal, lately even the most playful of genres are introducing situations in which players are presented with difficult ethical and moral dilemmas. This volume is an investigation of "dark play" in video games, or game play with controversial themes as well as controversial play behaviour. It covers such questions as: Why do some games stir up political controversies? How do games invite, or even push players towards dark play through their design? Where are the boundaries for what can be presented in a games? Are these boundaries different from other media such as film and books, and if so why? What is the allure of dark play and why do players engage in these practices?




HCI for Children with Disabilities


Book Description

In this book the authors present an HCI principle-based approach to develop applications to assist children with disabilities. Design knowledge related to developing complex solution for this audience is explained from an interaction design point of view. Different methodologies, models and cases studies are covered with the aim of helping practitioners to adopt any of the proposed techniques presented in this book. HCI methodologies that adopt an agile strategy are presented, including novel techniques at different development steps, such as: board games, agile planning, agile implementation, method engineering. As this is a huge research field the authors do not just focus on a specific disability but test their methods in different contexts with excellent results. Readers of this book will find both a well-organized and structured set of methodologies and also material that has been tested and refined throughout years of research. Using detailed case studies the reader is guided towards specific solutions which will also provide insights into how to address related problems.







ISPHE 2020


Book Description

Sports Science Faculty, Universitas Negeri Semarang is the host of the 5th International Seminar on Physical Health and Education (ISPHE), which were held virtually on July 22nd, 2020 in Semarang (Indonesia), in collaboration with the Health Education National Networking (JNPK) Indonesia, the Indonesian Public Health Association (IAKMI) and some prominent Indonesia universities in health education and sport (Malang State University, Gorontalo State University, and Manado State University). This seminar brings together academic experts and practitioners from South East Asia and beyond to share new knowledge, ideas, and experiences pertaining to Health Education, Physical Activities, and Applied Technology for Health as well as those in related fields in order to accommodate more aspirations and expressions of sport’s and health communities.