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Wearable Computer Genetics Game effort led by Michelle Mischke and Eric Klopfer We experimented with the use of a wearable computer genetics game created by MIT Professor Eric Klopfer. These games come in two types, either as a wearable lego badge computer or a hand held Palm pilot. In either case the students perform genetics experiments in a what is termed a participatory simulation. Student "mate" with each other via an infrared beam. Each computer then becomes one of the progeny of the cross and displays its phenotype. The students then mate again with someone else. The game illustrates a number of genetic principles and is a lot of fun. We first ran a trial at a meeting of our HHMI Education Group that attracted about 15 people. The trial enabled us to figure out how to use the game so it would be effective in the context of our Introductory Biology course. We had our first try at using it in recitation sections in the spring. It is a very interesting interactive experience that not only drives home some genetic concepts, but also helps students understand the scientific method as they try to figure out what is going on.
More about wearable computer simulations
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