The Horizon Report series is the most visible outcome of the New Media Consortium’s Horizon Project, an ongoing research effort established in 2002 that identifies and describes emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, research, or creative expression within education around the globe.
Game Based Learning (including game design) has been included as one of the three key adoption horizons in the next 2 to 3 years. The Report describes, "the greatest potential of games for learning lies in their ability to foster collaboration and engage students deeply in the process of learning."
The entire report is a great read and I have summarised below, the key aspects of the report relating to game based learning.
Research into why people find games so engaging has identified some key aspects including, "the feeling of working toward a goal; the possibility of attaining spectacular successes; the ability to problem-solve, collaborate with others, and socialize and, an interesting story line. . . Games can engage learners in ways other tools and approaches cannot, and their value for learning has been established through research."
"Designing and developing games is another way to bring games into the curriculum. Good game design involves research, creative thinking, the ability to envision both problems and solutions, and many other learning skills."
More food for thought!
There seems to be increasing interest in game design this year across DETNSW. I have many people asking me about our project now. It is extremely exciting and great to have you on board, Anthony.
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