“Game-based learning refers to learning activities that use a game (digital or non-digital), either as the main activity or as a stimulus for related activities. Game-based learning may also refer to learning activities which implement gaming elements (e.g. competition, challenge, reward, role-play) to facilitate learning and engagement. “ iGBL2013
EdTech Conference season is now firmly underway with the CESI Conference just around the corner and ICT in Education (May 2013) and EdTech2013 (May 30th – 31st) not too far behind. Now in its third year the Irish Symposium on Game Based Learning 2013 (iGBL 2013) is moving from its Waterford Institute base to Dublin Institute of Technology (Aungier Street Campus) for an extended 2 day event on June 6th and 7th. The broadening of the programme demonstrates the growing interest in this powerful pedagogy amongst Irish educators to enhance student engagement, improve methods of assessment and increase levels of academic achievement. This year’s event promises a wealth of up to date GBL research and resources straddling primary, secondary and third levels.
I was particularly delighted to hear that Dr. Nicola Whitton (Manchester Metropolitan University) has been announced as this year’s keynote speaker. As a researcher in the area of learning innovation she is passionate about enhancing and rethinking the ways in which teaching, learning and assessment are carried out, particularly in the context of Higher Education, in order to create more equitable and engaging experiences for students. She is particularly interested in the use of games to create active and experiential models of learning, engage students, and provide safe playful spaces for learning. One of the most interesting projects Dr. Whitton is currently involved with is the Making Games in Collaboration for Learning (MAGICAL) initiative, an EU Lifelong Learning project that “explores the potential that digital games offer for developing transversal abilities such as digital competence, reasoning skills and creativity.” Part of the project remit is to develop a bespoke collaborative game authoring software for primary and second level students and teachers called Magos. This is a keynote not to be missed.
The purpose of iGBL2013 is to:
– report on the use of game-based learning in primary, secondary and third-level education
– explore the effectiveness of game-based learning
– identify how game-based learning can be facilitated in educational settings
The call for abstracts is now underway:
8th March: Abstract submission deadline
8th April: Notification of abstract acceptance
19th April: Earlybird registration deadline
3rd May: Registration deadline
31st May: Final submission of presentations
Led by Conference Chair Dr. Pauline Rooney (DIT) and Director Dr. Patrick Felicia (WIT), the IGBL Committee are seeking contributions on a wide range of topics including, but not limited to:
• Pedagogical/learning theories for game based learning
• Evaluation of game based learning
• Assessment in game based learning
• Integrating game based learning within the curriculum
• Social and collaborative aspects of game-based learning
• Organisational issues when implementing games within educational settings
• Gender/age/cultural issues
• Gamification (use of gaming elements within the curriculum)
• Designing games for learning
• Serious games
• Technologies, tools and platforms for developing games for learning
• Technologies for mobile and multi-user games for learning
• Location-based technology for game-based learning
This year the programme will include presentations, workshops and pecha kucha sessions as well as interactive poster presentations. All submission types require a 300-500 word abstract to be received by 8 March 2013. Submissions must be made via the online form at http://bit.ly/W4XnIH. Authors will be notified of the status of their proposal by 8 April 2013.
In the meantime previous symposia provide a tantalising taster of what’s to come on June 6th/7th:
Additional Reading & Resources:
8 Great Posts on Game Based Learning and Gamification
Edutopia – Game Based Learning Articles
Education Scotland – Game Based Learning
Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Game Based Learning edited by Dr. Patrick Felicia
Magical – Making Games in Collaboration for Learning (European project that’s exploring collaborative design of educational games by primary and lower secondary students) – including free game making tools