News in Games-Based Learning — University XP

The Reacting Consortium Annual Institute, June 6-9, 2024 in NYC

The Reacting Consortium Annual Institute, June 6-9, 2024 in NYC

Immerse yourself in interactive pedagogy at the Reacting Consortium Annual Institute, June 6-9, 2024, held at Barnard College in NYC. Explore new games and methodologies designed to invigorate modern classrooms. Choose between workshops featuring full-length and short games, or opt for a newcomer session to gain confidence in implementing Reacting. Engage in dynamic debates, role-play historical scenarios, and strategize for victory. Dive deeper into topics like AI integration, primary source scaffolding, accessibility, and discussions on race. With comprehensive guides for transportation and COVID-19 safety, this event offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth. Reserve your spot now to join educators worldwide in this unforgettable educational experience.

Reacting to the PastDave EngMarch 26, 2024pedagogy, interactive, role-play, workshop, integration, communityComment

Southern offering high schoolers chance to create video games in after-school program

Southern offering high schoolers chance to create video games in after-school program

"It's not every day that high school students get to make their own video games with the help of professionals in the gaming and tech industry. High school students in East Baton Rouge Parish will be awarded that opportunity with the introduction of a new after-school game design program offered by Southern University.

gameDave EngMarch 26, 2024game, Esports, studentsComment

Kids train AI fighters in new educational game

Kids train AI fighters in new educational game

People need an AI education - and fast, because the technology is evolving at speed. Could a fighting game be an easy way to gamify the process of AI education? Could we use gamification to educate people in AI at every level?

AIDave EngMarch 25, 2024AI, education, interactiveComment

'Student of Games' is the 1st AI that can master different types of games, like chess and poker

'Student of Games' is the 1st AI that can master different types of games, like chess and poker

Researchers have built the first general-purpose artificial intelligence algorithm that can master a wide variety of games - dubbed "Student of Games."

gamesDave EngMarch 24, 2024games, student, artificialComment

Gamification guide: Elevate your training for better team engagement and competition

Gamification guide: Elevate your training for better team engagement and competition

How can you possibly find the time to effectively manage and deliver the crucial training and development programmes your employees need to grow? In current times, the pressure of high workloads and a super-packed schedule at work is causing a lot of stress for office workers, and learning and development staff are no exception.

trainingDave EngMarch 23, 2024training, gamification, toolsComment

Using simulation games to teach lean manufacturing

Using simulation games to teach lean manufacturing

Business instructors don't always have access to manufacturing equipment integral to a process we need to teach or might lack real-world experience with using it. Lean manufacturing is a widely used philosophy that focuses on eliminating any "Waste", an expense or effort expended during the manufacturing process that doesn't add value to the consumer.

gameDave EngMarch 22, 2024game, manufacturing, simulationComment

Why More Employers Want To Hire People Based On Their Video Game Skills

Why More Employers Want To Hire People Based On Their Video Game Skills

Once seen as a distraction and waste of time, video games are gaining new levels of appreciation among employers for teaching in-demand skills.

skillsDave EngMarch 21, 2024skills, game, researchComment

English Professor Uses Board Games to Teach Climate Change

English Professor Uses Board Games to Teach Climate Change

She never thought that one day she would be in a classroom where an English teacher asked her to play a board game in order to learn about climate change.

climateDave EngMarch 20, 2024climate, game, teachComment

Students from Two Schools Test the New EU Simulation Game at Europe House in Malta

Students from Two Schools Test the New EU Simulation Game at Europe House in Malta

First, the students from St Martin's College joined to try out the game on Monday 23 October, and later, on Thursday 26 October, the institution welcomed students from St Claire's College.

studentsDave EngMarch 19, 2024students, game, learnComment

Bridging realities: Dr. James Hutson on XR, GenAI, and gamification

Bridging realities: Dr. James Hutson on XR, GenAI, and gamification

The work of James Hutson, Lead XR Disruptor, Department Head at Lindenwood University, concerning bridging realities is placed under the spotlight.

RealityDave EngMarch 18, 2024Reality, engagement, cultureComment

Video Game Balance: A Definitive Guide

Video Game Balance: A Definitive Guide

It's a long guide, so feel free to use the table of contents to skip to the section that interests you ? Game balance is the ongoing game design process of adjusting the composition of game mechanics, rewards, challenges, tuning, timing and telegraphing to create a fair and meaningful gameplay experience with the right amount of difficulty.

gameDave EngMarch 17, 2024game, crafting, balanceComment

Voices of Discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems

Voices of Discovery: Seth Cooper discusses using game design to solve real-world problems

Scientific discovery games could be the stepping stone to creating medical breakthroughs, according to Cooper, an associate professor of computer science at Northeastern University. Associate Professor Seth Cooper from Northeastern University's Khoury College of Computer Sciences is helping shift those perceptions.

gameDave EngMarch 16, 2024game, puzzle, playersComment

What Are Educational Games

What Are Educational Games

Types of Educational Games Educational games come in a wide variety of formats, each designed to cater to different learning objectives and age groups. Let's explore the various types of educational games: Quiz Games: These games focus on testing knowledge and understanding through multiple-choice questions or quizzes.

gamesDave EngMarch 15, 2024games, educational, learningComment

Psychologists can go digital too

Psychologists can go digital too

Significant improvement is possible with the timely application of the appropriate digital technology. Integrating digital tools into tertiary psychology curricula is imperative to provide future practitioners with practical experience alongside their theoretical studies.

EducationDave EngMarch 14, 2024Education, Psychology, GamificationComment

Bring the SDGs into the classroom through role play and gamification

Bring the SDGs into the classroom through role play and gamification

Imagine a scenario where students walk into a room and, without any introductions or explanations, they are assigned one of three roles: a team member, a worker or a buyer. The students who drew "Team member" roles learn that they must make as much money as possible by working to make products with the paper.

studentsDave EngMarch 13, 2024students, volunteering, learningComment

Why, Why, Why?! #2: Games Need Randomness

Why, Why, Why?! #2: Games Need Randomness

Post-impressionist artist Paul Cézanne once said, "We live in a rainbow of chaos." Well, when that rainbow splashes its vibrant colors upon our games, the hobby is better off for it! Now, by design games will always need structure and rules and formulas.

gamesDave EngMarch 12, 2024games, players, intellectComment

Roll for Change: RPG Mechanics & Wicked Problems

Roll for Change: RPG Mechanics & Wicked Problems

The mechanics of these games can be harnessed to design learning programmes that provide nuanced understanding and engagement with these problems. There is now such a wealth of RPG systems, that if the character creation process of one does not suit your learning application, you can surely find another that will.

learningDave EngMarch 11, 2024learning, programs, playerComment

How Inclusive Design Can Further Our Accessibility Understandings

How Inclusive Design Can Further Our Accessibility Understandings

While certain accessibility features are crucial for me to play games, some options may serve no purpose or may not be enough for other players. Inclusive design is the concept of game development that explores opening games to disabled players without extensive menus.

playersDave EngMarch 10, 2024players, design, inclusiveComment

Fun and uncertainty

Fun and uncertainty

They focused on experiences that were neither fun nor engaging - in the boring zone - and used the technique of mutation to figure out what ingredient to add to turn a boring experience into a fun one, without it becoming engaging.

funDave EngMarch 9, 2024fun, uncertainty, gameComment

The power of play: How in Esports and gaming transform student learning

The power of play: How in Esports and gaming transform student learning

This is why, in conjunction with Games for Change, a nonprofit that empowers people to drive social change through gaming, Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is offering two new professional development courses: Introduction to Games and Learning and Esports: The What, Why and How.

EsportsDave EngMarch 8, 2024Esports, learning, innovativeComment