NASAGA 2007: Pictures everywhere

One of the most exciting things about the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA) conference for me was there were several sessions about using photographs in learning. Most of the time when I go to a conference, I am the only one doing a session like this. It was great to have other people who are designing, developing and using a variety of visual tools. It was also really nice to be a participant and be able to hear what others were sharing.

Beyond 1000 Words: Exploring the Magic of Pictures

This was the first concurrent session I attended. David Gouthro and Crystal Flaman created an overview of different ways to incorporate pictures for learning. They introduced us to a variety of tools that are available, and gave us the opportunity to participate in three different activities.

Expression Cards

The first activity was designed to get to know our table mates. It used Expression Cards, which are a set of 53 playing card sized images. We spread them out in the middle so we could see all the images, then each picked three to describe the following:

• a favorite childhood memory
• something that we love now
• a hope for the future

Each person at the table shared what they picked and why. We then discussed other ideas for using the cards. Our table decided to turn the cards over so we could not see them. We then randomly selected an image and talked about it in relationship to what we hoped to get out of the conference. It worked, the images sparked ideas for everyone.

Vision Board Collages

For the second activity each person got a piece of newsprint, and each table got a pile of photographs, magazines, scissors, and glue. We were instructed to create a vision of what we want in the future. The idea is to create a visual depiction of your dreams, then hang it somewhere so it can help you see your vision.

I’ve been doing this type of activity for many years in one form or another. Usually with a lot of thought, careful placement, and intricately cut out images. I noticed in the session I was able to very quickly identify key concepts, rip pictures out and stick them down in a few minutes. The result seems just as clear as the more labored versions of the past. I fully expect to get that new iPhone in the middle of the image to revolutionize my life.

The Visual Explorer

The Visual Explorer is a tool that comes from the Center for Creative Leadership, created by Chuck Palus and David Horth. It’s a set of 223 8 1/2 x 11 images. David Gouthro spread the images out on the floor down the hallway. We each selected a few images to represent the values of a high performing organization. We found partners to talk about our insights.

David and Crystal shared a whole range of resources and encouraged people to start using pictures for a wide variety of purposes. It was a great introduction to how easy it can be.

Looking @ Leadership: Visually and Interactively

Fran Kick started this session by showing us a video of ‘something’. Over four minutes, it shifted and changed right up to the end when we got to see what we were looking at. It was a great exercise in perception and how our minds make associations and assumptions.

All this time, we had a set of photographs Fran has developed spread out on the floor in front of us. The set was created to teach high school students about leadership. It was created by identifying the key concepts in a number of leadership models, then selecting photographs to represent each one.

The photos are about 6 x 9 with rounded corners. They are placed on the floor randomly. We then walked among them several times to make sure we got to see them all. Then we selected a card that represented the leadership quality most important to us, and talked about the meaning of our choice in small groups.

The tool would best be used for groups learning about leadership theory. It’s a great way to cement the learning and to explore a variety of mainstream ideas about leadership. Using it with young people also gives them the opportunity to claim leadership qualities for themselves.

Other day-one sessions I heard about

Motivation Principles for Game Designers and Facilitators

This session gave participants the opportunity to explore with Thiagi six critical components to foster motivation: connection, choice, competence, confidence, collaboration, and captivation. I heard this session was particularly helpful for exploring the theoretical framework along with demonstrating classic Thiagi.

Poverty Reduction in Molansa: A Simulation

Sonia Riboux facilitated a simulation about poverty reduction. Participants had to manipulate multiple factors that contributed to economic results. Individuals had different amounts of resources to begin. I heard several people say it was very engaging.

Theatre of the Oppressed

While I didn’t get to participate this time, I have attended Stephanie Pollack’s sessions in the past, so I know this one was fantastic. The Great Game of Power was featured in the summer issue of SIMAGES. Many games and simulations address power, but few do it as directly as in Theatre of the Oppressed. Watching and listening to others describing how they see power when it is expressed with a few chairs and a table really shows you how dramatically perceptions can vary from person to person.

Coming soon:

Game night at NASAGA 2007. Day 2 concurrent sessions. What makes simulations magic? Technology day at the conference. nasaga2007