Getting Serious About Games -- Using Video Game-Based Learning to Enhance Nuclear Terrorism Preparedness.

摘要

This thesis proposes the development of a video game platform to increase the public's knowledge of required protective actions in the event of a nuclear terrorism attack. Current scientific analyses have identified elementary steps the public should take to increase the likelihood of survival in the event of a nuclear terrorism incident. However, a knowledge gap currently exists with regard to the public's understanding of these required actions. Unfortunately, today's preparedness initiatives do not have the efficacy required to effect significant improvements in this area. Video games, more specifically, a sub-genre of games known as serious games, are uniquely postured to address this knowledge gap. Not only do video games provide a motivating, enriching, and engaging educational medium, they also are unique in that they address the emerging educational needs of today's games generation, which desires more interactive educational environments since they have been immersed in technology for the majority of their lives. As such, leveraging this technology can help close the current knowledge gap and increase the nation's resilience to nuclear terrorism.