How Video Games Can Level Up the Way You Learn | Kris Alexander | TED

翻译人员: Yip Yan Yeung 校对人员: sylvia feng

When I was in senior year university,

我读大四的时候，

this was around 2004,

大概是 2004 年，

I was in one of those classes

我上了一门课，

where the teacher would read the slides word-for-word

老师在这三个小时的课上

as part of a three-hour lecture.

就是在读 ppt。

Oh.

哦。

Oh, you all know what I'm talking about?

哦，你们都知道我在说什么？

(Laughter)

（笑声）

I ended up doing alright in the class by catering to my own learning style.

最终我凭借自己的学习方式 在这门课上取得了还不错的成绩。

After a little bit of experimentation,

我试验了一下，

I found that playing a video game during this lecture,

发现在这门课上打游戏，

a game like Tetris, or in this particular case,

比如俄罗斯方块， 或者特指这门课上的例子：

"Zelda: The Minish Cap,"

《塞尔达传说：缩小帽》，

helped me pay attention

可以让我集中注意力，

because the primary way I engage with information is by listening.

因为我接触信息的主要方式 只有聆听。

And this meant

这意味着

that the teacher's voice with matching text

老师的声音加上对应的文本

were a distraction for me.

对我来说都是干扰。

Anyway, I was at the back listening and participating, mind you.

反正我就待在后面听着， 还“参与”着。

But one day, this teacher decided to call me out.

但是有一天，这个老师 决定要点名批评我。

He stopped the class and said, "Excuse me.

他停下了讲课， 说道：“不好意思，

Are you playing video games in my class?"

你是在我的课上打游戏吗？”

And then I said,

然后我说：

"I am, sir, but this is the way that I learn."

“没错，老师， 但这是我学习的方式。”

And then he said,

然后他说：

"There's no way that you're learning anything."

“你怎么可能在学东西。”

And then I said, "Sir, I'm not interrupting.

然后我说： “老师，我不是要找茬。

I am learning, and I’m even participating.”

我在学习， 我还在参与呢。”

And then he said, "No, I don't want you playing video games in my class."

然后他说：“不行， 我不能让你在我的课上打游戏。”

And then I said, "Sir ..."

然后我说：“老师……”

(Laughter)

（笑声）

And then I said, "Sir, I'm going to place this Game Boy Advance on the table,

然后我说：“老师，我现在可以 把这台 GBA 游戏机放在桌上，

repeat your last two sentences word-for-word,

然后把你刚说的两句话 一字一句复述出来，

and then I’m going to pick up this Game Boy Advance and keep playing.”

然后拿起 GBA 接着玩。”

And then he said, "I don't think you can do that."

然后他说： “我觉得你不行。”

And then the class went, “Oooooh.”

然后其他同学起哄：“哦——”

(Laughter)

（笑声）

You can picture that, alright, cool.

你能想象出来吧，好。

So I placed my Game Boy Advance on the table,

然后我把 我的 GBA 放在了桌上，

I looked him right in his eye,

四目相对，

repeated his last two sentences,

复述了他刚说的两句话，

word-for-word,

一字不落，

and then I picked up my Game Boy Advance and kept playing.

然后拿起了我的 GBA 接着玩。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

And then you know what he said?

你知道他之后说了什么吗？

"Alright, carry on."

“行吧，接着玩。”

(Laughter)

（笑声）

So since that day, I’ve become a professor myself ...

从那天起， 我也成长为了一个教授，

of video game design.

专业是电子游戏设计。

And I'm convinced that there's absolutely something

我确信电子游戏中绝对存在

that video games can teach the world of academia.

可以为学术界带来启发的东西。

Like, how they can cater to human learning,

比如，它们如何适用于 人类学习的过程，

how they can enhance online instruction

如何增强线上教学，

and how they can provide clear objectives.

如何提供清晰的目标。

Let me explain.

我来解释一下。

Humans can take in information in three core ways:

人类吸收信息主要有三种方式：

audio, text and video.

音频、文本和视频。

Now, as I demonstrated earlier, I'm an oral learner,

如我刚刚所说， 我是一个口述学习者，

which means I prefer to take in information via sound.

也就是说我倾向于 通过声音吸收信息。

And some studies show that when two or more of these channels are used,

有一些研究表明 如果利用了两个或多个途径，

learning gains are higher.

学习的收获会更多。

But, there's a catch.

但是这儿有个问题。

Now, I was struggling to pay attention in this class

我在这门课上难以集中注意力，

because of something called cognitive overload,

是因为“认知超载”这个现象，

which can happen when audio, text and video

它会在音频、文本和视频

aren't different enough when used together.

在一起使用时 区分度不高的情况下出现。

So when the audio of my teacher matched the excessive text on his slides,

所以，我老师的声音 加上幻灯片上密密麻麻的字

my brain was overloaded.

让我的脑子超载了。

Teachers who use technology in the classroom

在课堂上使用科技手段的老师们

need to ensure that each channel is complementary,

必须确保每种途径是互补的，

otherwise, students are going to have difficulty transferring information

不然学生会难以把信息

from working memory to long-term memory.

从工作记忆存入长期记忆。

Now, I fixed the problem for myself by essentially using the teacher's voice

我解决了自己的问题， 只是把老师的声音

as the soundtrack for the game I was playing.

当作我玩的游戏的背景音乐。

And this brings me to my first point.

这就说到了我的第一个观点。

Video games, by design, are a complex blend of audio, text,

电子游戏有意被设计为 音频、文本、视频和

video and interactivity that can intensify focus.

交互性的复杂结合体， 加强人们的注意力。

That was the point of my PhD.

这就是我博士论文的论点。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

And because of their enjoyment factor,

由于电子游戏的享乐元素，

these components of video games can help with something

这些电子游戏的组成部分有助于

our students desperately need in the classroom:

我们的学生在课堂上 迫切需要的东西：

motivation.

动力。

Now, at their best,

最理想的情况是

video games can immerse us,

电子游戏让我们沉浸其中，

focus our attention

集中我们的注意力，

and provide clear objectives with demonstrated output.

以可见的成果提供明确的目标。

You know how well you're doing every step of the way.

你知道你在这条路上的 每一步做得如何。

And video games can teach multiple things simultaneously.

电子游戏可以同时传授几样东西。

Like ...

比如……

There's this class I teach,

这是我教的一门课，

game design,

《游戏设计》，

where I like to use a video game called “Virginia.”

我会以一个名为 《弗吉尼亚》的电子游戏为例。

Now, in “Virginia,” you play as Anne Tarver,

在《弗吉尼亚》中， 你会扮演安妮·塔弗（Anne Tarver），

a newly-hired FBI agent

一个刚入职的 FBI 探员，

who is tasked with internally investigating someone

接到任务，要求内部调查某人，

who just happens to be the only other female agent in the precinct.

而这个人是这个片区 除你之外的唯一女性探员。

And this game is based on a true story.

这款游戏改编自真实事件。

Now, on the surface, I’m using “Virginia” to teach game design.

明面上我通过《弗吉尼亚》 教授游戏设计。

But I'm also using the mechanics of video games

但是我也在通过电子游戏的形式

to trick students into exploring complex concepts

把学生“骗”来 探索一些复杂的领域，

like history, sexism, racism,

如历史、性别歧视主义、种族主义、

corporate culture and tokenism

企业文化和形式主义，

while we play this game together.

都是通过我们一起玩游戏的形式。

To me, effective instruction merges theory and practice.

对我来说，有效的教学 是知行合一的。

Each week in this class,

每周上课的时候，

I like to pick a unique video game that matches the game theory

我都会选择某个 符合博弈论的电子游戏，

and sprinkles in a couple of life takeaways.

再补充几条人生体会。

We play the game together and talk about it,

我们一起打游戏，一起讨论，

and then the students have to go and make video games themselves.

然后学生得自己做出一款电子游戏。

And this all happens -- wait for it --

这些都是在——听好了——

online.

线上完成的。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

And guess what?

你猜怎么着？

COVID forced everyone to join me teaching online,

新冠疫情逼迫每个人线上上课，

and most schools struggled.

很多学校不堪其扰。

But there are many examples of effective online instruction

但也有许多例子证明 有效的线上教学

in unlikely places like YouTube streams,

会出现在一些不同寻常的地方， 比如 YouTube 直播、

Netflix programming,

Netflix 节目，

and, believe it or not, Amazon's Twitch.

还有令人难以置信的 亚马逊 Twitch 中。

Now, as you probably know,

你可能已经知道了，

Twitch is an online streaming platform

Twitch 是一个在线直播平台，

where people can watch other people play video games.

人们可以看别人打游戏。

But it can also be used to learn how to paint with Ergo Josh.

但也可以用它 跟 ERGO.JOSH 学画画。

Learn how to play piano with Juanorpiano.

跟 Juanorpiano 学习 如何弹钢琴。

Learn how to code with RothioTome

跟 RothioTome 学习编程，

and even how to cook meals with yarumichan.

甚至是跟 yarumichan 学习做饭。

Uh-huh, yeah, real.

没错，是真的。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

And Twitch had an average of 2.78 million concurrent viewers in 2021.

Twitch 在 2021 年的 平均同时观看人数为 278 万。

Now, that's a lot of motivated learners if you actually think about it.

可想而知， 有这么多兴致勃勃的学习者。

One of my favorite classes to teach online

我最喜欢的一门在线教授的课是

is a class called Esports Broadcasting,

电子竞技直播，

where I'm essentially just using video games

我只是通过电子游戏

to teach students how to professionally present themselves online

指导学生如何专业地 在线展示他们自己，

using a free piece of software called Open Broadcaster Software, or OBS.

使用一款名为 OBS 直播的免费软件 （Open Broadcaster Software）。

Here, I teach them how to connect any available camera to the software.

我在课上指导它们如何 把各种可用的相机接入这款软件。

Add white balance

调节白平衡，

(Laughter)

（笑声）

and color correction to help that image pop,

打开颜色校正， 让图片更显眼，

(Laughter)

（笑声）

use on-screen text to complement the video,

加上字幕辅助视频，

(Laughter)

（笑声）

and compress any available microphone to make it sound and look

压缩所有的麦克风， 让直播听起来、看起来

exactly like what they're accustomed to consuming online.

完全适合线上观赏。

And the same processes that hooked viewers on Twitch

Twitch 让观众无法自拔的方法

are the same processes schools should use

就是学校该学习如何让学生

to learn how to engage students online and globally.

在线上、在世界各地 保持注意力的方法。

That should be one of their objectives, shouldn't it?

这就该是学校的目标之一，对吧？

(Laughter)

（笑声）

Hold on.

等等。

What are the objectives of a post-secondary education anyway?

高等教育的目标到底是什么啊？

And what could education overall learn from video games,

教育可以从电子游戏那里 得到的宏观启示

which clearly say:

清晰可见：

start here,

从这儿开始，

do these things

完成这些任务，

and then obtain these things.

获取这些物品。

Now, if the goal of a post-secondary education

如果高等教育的目标

includes students getting a job in the same thing they went to school for,

包括了学生从事 与在校学习内容相同的职业，

guess what?

你猜怎么着？

Schools are failing.

学校都做不到。

More than half of graduates do not get jobs in their field of study.

超过半数毕业生 不会从事在校专业的职业。

That would be like enrolling in chef training

比如接受了烹饪培训，

and then graduating to start a job in data analytics.

毕业了以后找了个数据分析的工作。

Why not just enroll in data analytics?

为什么不直接学数据分析呢？

You could.

可以啊。

Grow with Google has an online program

Grow with Google 成长计划 提供了一个线上项目，

promising you a job in data analytics starting at 74,000 dollars a year,

承诺让你找到一份年薪至少为 74000 美元的数据分析工作，

and that program is free to start.

且项目免费注册。

Epic Games offers a pathway to become a developer

Epic Games 提供了 成为程序员的学习路径，

with its Unreal Engine for interactive 3D development,

使用它家的虚幻引擎 （Unreal Engine）完成交互 3D 开发，

a field that they say has gone up 601 percent

这个领域增长了 601%，

and is paying people 57 percent more than the average salary.

为从事者提供 高于平均薪资 57% 的薪水。

For clarity, their Unreal Engine is the same tool used to build Fortnite

让我说明白点，虚幻引擎 就是开发《堡垒之夜》的那个工具，

and the same tool used to build some of the backgrounds

也是制作美剧《曼达洛人》中的 一些背景图像的工具。

behind "The Mandalorian."

At no cost to use.

免费使用。

Are y'all hearing all these near-free, no-fee examples I'm giving you?

你们都听到了我刚送给你们的 几乎免费、不收费的例子了吧？

(Laughter)

（笑声）

University in particular is mad expensive.

尤其是大学，贵得要死。

The cost of university has gone up

读大学的费用自 1980 年以来

1,200 percent since 1980.

上涨了 1200%。

To me ...

我认为……

To me, there's not a single job, trade or discipline

我认为没有一个岗位、 生意或者学科

that doesn't in some way connect to the video games industry.

与电子游戏产业毫无关联。

There are dentists like Dr. August de Oliveira,

有像奥古斯特·德·奥利维拉医生 （August de Oliveira）这样的牙医，

who are using augmented reality to see the roots of your teeth

在检查牙齿时利用增强现实（AR）

while working on your teeth.

观察你的牙根。

Psychologists are using virtual reality to help you overcome a fear of spiders,

心理学家通过虚拟现实（VR） 帮你克服对蜘蛛的恐惧，

and broadcast technicians responsible for filming a dragon

广播技术员要拍摄一条龙

flying over a live stadium full of people

飞过现正人头攒动的体育馆，

as part of a League of Legends esports broadcast.

作为《英雄联盟》 电竞直播的一部分。

Video game technologies are embedded in all of these.

电子游戏技术参与其中。

And that must mean that the video games industry is not just made of players

这也就意味着电子游戏产业 不止由玩家们组成，

but made of you.

而是由我们每个人组成。

Now, I'm not suggesting that video games replace classroom instruction --

我不是在提倡用电子游戏 替代课堂教学——

Settle down, internet.

没说你，互联网。

(Laughter)

（笑声）

I'm advocating for the components of video games,

我想提倡的是 电子游戏的组成部分，

especially the engaging ones,

尤其是引人入胜的部分，

to be ported into classroom instruction

可以引入课堂教学，

because the audience, the students,

因为观众，也就是学生，

clearly understand the medium.

可以清晰地理解这种传播渠道。

There are roughly three billion video game players worldwide.

全球大约有 30 亿名 电子游戏玩家。

Video games contain the blueprint for engaging education

电子游戏描绘了 引人入胜的教学该是什么样子，

because of the way that they cater to human learning,

因为它有着适合人类学习的方式、

a complex story interwoven with learning content

与学习内容交织在一起的复杂故事

and a bit of artificial intelligence for difficulty and balance.

再加上一点人工智能的元素， 调节难度和平衡。

Online instruction can be enhanced

如果学校向顶级直播平台和主播

if schools turn to top streaming platforms and streamers

学习如何有效地在线上 保持学生的注意力，

to learn how to effectively engage students online.

那么在线教学的效果就会增强。

And the objectives for education overall need to be as specific as a video game

教育的整体目标 必须像电子游戏里的那样具体，

so that those who are enrolled

这样参与学习的人

have a clear line of sight to where they're headed.

可以清晰地看清 他们会达成的目标。

If we can start showing students how their passion for playing

如果我们可以向学生展示 他们对玩游戏的热情

connects to their futures,

如何关联上他们的未来，

we will have done our jobs.

这就是我们的职责所在。

The next generation of teachers

下一代老师

are those who can connect the path of study

会是那些能把学习过程

to profession via passion.

与怀揣热情的工作 结合在一起的人。

Oh, and one last thing about the playing of video games.

哦，关于打游戏的最后一件事。

There's a 2022 study suggesting that the playing of video games

2022 年 有一个研究表明打游戏

is associated with heightened cognition,

与高等认知、

faster reaction times,

更短的反应时间、

improved working memory

增强的工作记忆、

and modifying the cortical networks associated with the process of playing.

改变与游玩过程 相关的皮质网络有关。

And that ...

这就是……

is what I should have said to that teacher.

我该告诉那个老师的事。

Thank you.

谢谢。

(Applause and cheers)

（掌声、欢呼声）