Educational Games and Simulations

A quiet revolution is happening with how we learn.  Conventional learning approaches - books, courses, and seminars - are giving way to a new method of learning:  educational games and simulations.

The benefits of learning through games and simulations are so compelling that in the near future, it is expected that all learning, whether distance or classroom-based, will include a game or simulation component.  In fact, it is anticipated that learning will eventually be completely driven by simulation-based experiences.  This revolutionary change will impact learning at all levels of society, from public education, home learning, corporate training, military and combat readiness, to economic development and entire nation building.

Why do I think so?  There are many qualitative and quantitative reasons, many of which you will find in the resources listed below, starting with this article:  The quiet revolution in learning and education (Factors driving the growth of simulation-based learning).

Of course, not everyone is as bullish as I am on the future of educational games and simulations.  Some are suspicious because they have seen failed attempts at such products in the past (Unfortunately, the term "simulation" is used very loosely, and many so-called educational games are, frankly, not very good).  While others prefer to wait for a mountain of research to "prove" the benefits.  All the while, satisfied to continue to encourage the conventional books and lecture-style delivery, which we all know is anything but effective - and becoming less so as new generations of young people grow up in a world that is very different than that of their parents and grandparents.

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GoVenture

The best source of my information on this subject is the GoVenture website at www.goventure.net.  There you will find the value proposition described for each person, whether student, teacher, college professor, corporate trainer, parent, or economic development professional. 

The GoVenture product line is arguably the most extensive line of educational games and simulations produced by a single company.  The website includes detailed product information, video demonstrations, and full working trial versions of award-winning educational games and simulations that are being used by tens of thousands of people around the world. 

Video

Here is a video of me presenting GoVenture on television.
Windows Media Player version 9 or later required.

• Watch the video
  
  

Articles

Following are articles I have written, which have been published in regional or national media.

• Gamification - what it is and what it means for you
  
  
• Is the iPad useful?  Just the facts.
  
  
• Does your dog have better social networking etiquette than you?
  
  
• How Simulations, Games, Virtual Worlds, and Web 2.0 are Revolutionizing Education and Training
  
  
• Three Reasons Why Revolutionary Change is Happening in Education and Training Today
  
  
• 11 Reasons to extend your brand with games
  
  
• The quiet revolution in learning and education
  (Factors driving the growth of simulation-based learning)
  
  
• Sorting through the simulation options
  (Types of Simulations)
  
  

White Papers

Following are white papers which are made available by MediaSpark on the GoVenture website.                    

• Don't Just Teach a Skill — Teach The Business
• Is eLearning Failing Your Organization?
• A Franchisor's Best Solution to Choosing the Right People
• Improving Employee Recruitment and Retention
• Transitioning to a Free Market Economy
• You've Got Brand!  Breaking Ground on Branding
  
  

• Read all issues and subscribe here.

I have seen similar patterns in my experience as a course designer, trainer, seminar leader, business advisor, and facilitator.  Youth and adults (including bright businesspeople) have trouble "getting it" until they actually "live it" for themselves.  Simply, we have to enable people to experience the world, rather than just read about it, hear about it, or talk about it.

I am academically trained to question concepts and theories and look for hard evidence to support conclusions.  And, I believe this hard evidence is in the works as more research is being conducted on the benefits of games and simulations for learning.  In the meantime, I am relying on intuition, common sense, and a variety of direct and indirect evidence to support my beliefs stated above.  I have personally experienced the benefits of learning-by-doing, as I'm sure we all have.  I have heard the stories of many trainers, teachers, and students of how their thinking and views of the world have changed through the use of educational games and simulations.  And, I have studied the findings of researchers who support the concepts of varied learning styles and multiple intelligences.  The result is that I am convinced of the promising future of educational games and simulations.

Does this mean that I believe our primary method of learning will have us all staring at computer screens with little or no human interaction?  Certainly not.  The social dynamics of facilitated and group learning is a powerful force in education and one which cannot be replaced by technology. But, it can be enhanced.  In the short term, there are products, such as GoVenture, which can be used to enhance education today in its current form.  Then there is the long term future of educational games and simulation, which requires a complete rethinking of how we learn.   I am doing research and development in this area specifically, and expect to have a new product launched in the future that I believe will represent how we will all learn through real-world experience.

I know, because I have lived it.  I grew up  in the 1970s and early 1980s, at the front-end of the gaming generation.  I was one of the first kids to have an Atari, followed by a Vic20, Colecovision, Commodore 64, and then a PC.  I programmed my first (very rudimentary) space invaders-style game at about age 13 using Basic on the Vic20 - not a big deal today, but back then this was highly unusual (In fact, I used up the few kilobytes of built-in memory and had to purchase a memory expansion pack!). 

School was never much of a problem for me, but as I got older I realized I did not really pay attention in class.  During my six years in university, studying engineering and math, I only attended perhaps 10% of my classes, choosing instead to learn on my own, only attending class to submit assignments, conduct labs, and take tests.  I cannot learn effectively in such an environment, so why waste my time.  Others who may not be as academically inclined often can't find another way and end up failing.