Post date: Aug 24, 2014 4:16:06 AM
Gee’s Transfer Principle: Learners are given ample opportunity to practice and support for transferring what they have learned earlier to later problems, including problems that require adapting and transforming that earlier learning.
Out of the games I have played so far; Portal, Hay Day, Monaco, and Cloud Chamber, The game that is best at this principle is Portal. I have repeatedly used the portal to move myself through the game. Having now moved on to yet another level, I can say that this game does a great job at helping transfer what I have already learned about destroying the spider turrets to get me through a level that was inundated with them. Each level takes something I have learned previously and makes me use the knowledge differently. An example of this was using portals to see ahead in the play. What I mean is looking through the portal to see what dangers lurk around the corner. This isn't what I originally thought the portals could be used for. I originally just used them to move from place to place. Then, I learned I could use them to move things. Then I used the portals to make bigger jumps which helped me make it over tall obstructions in the game. Later, I used the fuctionality of the portal to destroy enemies. Thus transferring what I learned earlier to later problems as stated by Gee. Adaptation is the key.
In my experiences with Monaco, I have transferred some of what I knew to help me play the game but since I frequently played with others who were faster than me, I quickly moved on to other levels because they accomplished this task with their fast movement through the level. Leaving me in a situation where I was moving along and getting rescued often but not really learning. It has been more of a reaction and not learning. I have learned that this game makes me stressed!
I certainly have observed the Transfer Principle in action in the Hay Day game. I have practiced and practiced the reaping of goods and can tell when I need to sew more of one or another crop to make more of a processed good in time for the next sale or feeding of the animals. Originally, all I could do was collect eggs from my chickens! I have been running into problems like filling up my barn and silo to capacity which keeps me from taking goods I have made and storing them for later. I have adapted my game play behaviors so that I can continue reaping and sowing until I have reaped all the available crops and processed everything I can.