University of Maryland professor uses Nintendo’s popular game to teach students about machine construction and design
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the latest installment in the beloved video game franchise, is not just entertaining gamers, but also inspiring a college course on engineering and robotics. Ryan Sochol, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, has developed a class called “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to Machine Design,” which utilizes the game’s mechanics and physics engine to teach students about machine construction and design. This unique approach to education has garnered attention and praise for its innovative use of a popular video game.
Gamifying engineering with the Hero of the Wild
Ryan Sochol’s course takes advantage of the various aspects of Tears of the Kingdom, from its physics to its Rune abilities, to provide mechanical engineering students with hands-on experience in machine design and robotics. The class begins with students learning the basics of the game’s machine elements through in-game problem-solving challenges. They then investigate specific machine elements to understand their performance under different circumstances. Finally, students apply their knowledge to a machine design challenge, where they prototype and construct a transforming, bioinspired, amphibious robotic vehicle for an in-class race.
A popular and oversubscribed course
The course has gained significant popularity, with more students signing up than Sochol could reasonably teach. In fact, he had to limit registrations and even raffle off spots due to overwhelming demand. The course attracted students with varying levels of familiarity with The Legend of Zelda franchise, with some having never played a Zelda game before. Despite this, the least experienced team won the mid-term challenge race, showcasing the effectiveness of the gamified approach to learning.
Integrating real-world applications with CAD software
Sochol has paired Tears of the Kingdom with industry-standard computer-aided design (CAD) software, allowing students to build a car in the game and then replicate it in CAD. This integration provides students with complementary CAD skills for real-world application while testing out their theories in a 3D space. Not only does this approach enhance the learning experience, but it also significantly reduces costs compared to subscribing to CAD software.
Expanding the curriculum and inspiring other professors
As the course enters its final weeks, Sochol plans to expand the curriculum, making it a more intensive three-credit class. He also aims to structure it in a way that other colleges can offer similar courses. Sochol hopes to continue running the course in future semesters, as long as there is funding and student interest. While currently a one-credit elective course, he envisions making it a more substantial class in the long term. Sochol’s ultimate goal is to inspire other developers to embrace gamified education and explore the potential of video games as educational tools.
Conclusion:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has proven to be more than just a source of entertainment. Ryan Sochol’s innovative course demonstrates the potential of video games to inspire and educate students in fields like engineering and robotics. By gamifying the learning experience, students are not only engaged but also gain practical skills and knowledge. As the course continues to evolve and inspire other educators, it highlights the untapped potential of video games as powerful educational tools.
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