INFR 4120U – Serious Gaming and Virtual Simulation

The field of modeling and simulation is large and diverse; modeling and simulation is applied in every discipline to answer questions in research and development and for education and training. Recently, there has been a push in the use of specific simulations which have an internal goal. Such simulations are known as games (when applied to education and training, they are known as serious games) and provide an experience that is fun and engaging making them particularly relevant to the current generation of learners. This course is an introduction to virtual simulation and serious games. The course begins with a detailed overview of fundamental concepts and terminology (e.g., model, simulation, virtual simulation, simulator, game, serious game, etc.), followed by a discussion regarding the theory behind the motivation for the use of simulation and game-based learning. A detailed discussion regarding the design and development of virtual simulations and serious games will be provided including a discussion of instructional design and validation/verification. An overview regarding the use of virtual simulation/serious games in the real-world, including medicine, will be provided in addition to a discussion regarding some of the limitations, issues, and open problems with the use of virtual simulations and serious games as educational tools. The concepts and ideas presented in the course will be reinforced with a final course project, which will offer students, working in groups, the unique opportunity to develop their own virtual simulation or serious game.
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours: 3
Prerequisite(s): INFR 1110U and INFR 2330U