What's included
5 live meetings
4 hrs 35 mins in-class hoursHomework
Students may need to spend time outside of class to finish their projects.Class Experience
Do you grab for your phone every time it vibrates or dings? Have your grades or relationships suffered or have you lost sleep because of gaming? Did you know that for game companies will do whatever it takes to get your money and keep your attention? In this multi-day course we will explore the psychology of how companies purposely create addiction in their customers for profit and take that knowledge and put into practice by creating our own game concepts with as many addictive aspects as possible. This is called project based learning, where you take knowledge you've learned, and apply it. The goal of doing this is you'll develop a deep understanding and recognize when companies use these tactics to steal your time and your money. Day 1: The" In" Crowd: The psychology of "likes" and trends and the qualities that make social media and the internet so addictive. How is addiction built into gaming? Day 2: Let's Play A Game: The immersive world of gaming. What's a problem and what's not when it comes to gaming and the internet? Day 3: Create Your Games: This will be an activity started in class. Students will be put into break out rooms to work together on creating the most addictive and fun game possible to present to the class. Day 4: Student Game Presentations Day 5: Student Game Presentations and Wrap UP We realize that most students do not want to be in this class. They didn't choose this class and they will do whatever they can to get out of it. We try to make the content as engaging as possible but this isn't just a fun class. We also rely a lot on student participation. We can not make your student participate or apply the lessons taught.
Learning Goals
Create an addictive game by learning about the techniques companies use to create addiction in players.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class is educational and not a replacement for counseling or therapy. This class is to help students identify the tricks that companies use to create addiction and to recognize those things when they encounter them in everyday life.
This class many students do not WANT to take and we have found that students may log in for 2-5 minutes and log off telling parents "It was boring." We have students who game during class. These are classic defensive behaviors, and while they are expected to some degree, we can not force your student to participate.
No refunds will be given for a student who leaves early.
Students who share inappropriate things during their presentations may be removed from class if redirection doesn't work. No refunds will be given for inappropriate behavior.
Supply List
Students may want pen and paper or access to some sort of program like google slides to create their presentations (though that isn't required).
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 teachers have a Graduate degree
Master's Degree in Education from University of Phoenix
Master's Degree in Education from Moreland University
Our teachers have worked in the addictions field for over 20 years and worked with teenagers for longer than that. This is a course that is aimed at a younger demographic and has been adjusted for this age group.
Les Pauling created and ran a prison addictions program for over 15 years that was acclaimed as one of the best programs in the country. He has his masters in guidance counseling.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$30
weekly or $150 for 5 classes1x per week, 5 weeks
55 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
3-8 learners per class