Company overview

1. Games-based learning What it is, why it is interesting and how to implement it Kevin Corti, Founder, PIXELearning. Company overview

2. Company background • Established in 2002, Coventry University Technology Park • Business education & business and management skills development • £500k investment in GBL technology platforms • Clients - Coca-Cola, Scottish Enterprise, AWM, Edexcel, Skillsmart Retail and Coventry University • A growing reputation in UK & overseas

3. This isn’t new! “You can learn more about a man in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” Plato

4. This isn’t new! “You can learn more about a PERSON in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” Plato (2006)

5. How often does this happen? “Please…just another hour…I really want to finish this course”

6. We know games are ‘compelling’

7. Games engage beyond the bedroom!

8. Does eLearning engage?

9. Does eLearning engage? “Umm…no thanks!”

10. Modern day PC power

11. Modern day PC power

12. The ‘F’ word There is a lot more to Games-based Learning than simply trying to make learning fun…. ….although that wouldn’t be a bad start!

13. Why we use GBL? Games-based learning… Provide safe, realistic and meaningful environments… …..in which learners actually apply information to develop knowledge and skills.

14. Ask yourself; “Would you let your new management trainees run your organisation?”

16. Ask yourself; “Would you let your new management trainees run your VIRTUAL organisation?”

17. http://www.virtual-u.org

18. Repeatability What you do (or don’t do) has an obvious and meaningful effect in the game. The game changes. Each time you try it…it is different. Information / choices / behaviours / approaches / tactics / strategies …..meaningful outcomes

19. Experience GBL is heavily experiential GBL gives learners virtual experience which they can use for real in workplace

20. Memorable Structure Challenges Narrative Stories Feedback Humour Drama Objectives Characters Performance data

21. GBL – fun problem spaces • Games are pre-defined problems • Solving the problems = satisfaction • GBL problems are authentic & relevant Game over! You won Game over! You won

22. Assessment data • All the data you need • Games capture staggering amounts of data when they are played. • GBL applications provide this for assessment purposes. • History data, learners inputs, decision logging

23. Assessment data

24. “That’s (NOT) edutainment” This isn’t about using Pong or Millionaire to try to help learners memorise facts. “Chocolate-coated broccoli still tastes like broccoli”

25. A serious business application GBL is.. …..a serious business application for solving problems and unlocking opportunities for organisations of all shapes and sizes. But first – getting to know your audience!

26. That word…. ‘Game’ The first step is admitting it! - Gamers Anonymous “My name is Kevin and I am…a gamer”.

27. That word…. ‘Game’ Lonely hearts Spotty, white, teenage male with poor social skills seeks fellow XBOX enthusiast to share long nights in front of the bedroom TV. ‘Trevor’, aged 15 from Guilford

28. How much of a ‘gamer’ are you? Straw pole: [a] Never played a PC/console/mobile game for pleasure [b] Have but only a handful of times [c] Do so once every couple of months [d] Do so regularly (about every month)

29. The gamer demographic • The reality: • 18 to 35 – core market for Sony & Microsoft • 41% female • 42% aged 25 to 49 • 35% income of $50k to $100k • 16% income > $100k

30. The ‘natives’ are digital • Key message! • Learners are changing • Opportunity NOT threat • T&D needs to evolve to take advantage.

31. GBL is a ‘hot topic’ University of Central England Coventry University BECTa Birmingham University University of Warwick JISC Penn State University A.W.M. D.T.I. EA Games & NESTA The MOVES Institute M.I.T. Microsoft Carnegie Mellon Intel NOKIA University of Southern California LearningLab

32. Birmingham GBL event www.seriousgames.org.uk www.applyseriousgames.com

33. Why we use GBL So why should YOU be interested?

34. Why we use GBL Performance improvement Awareness of role Competency testing Assessment/ROI Recruitment Customer education Promotional tool Induction Motivational tools Aspirational tools Best practise

35. It’s not all “Single-player!” Games are increasingly social (e.g.XBOX live & MMORPG’s) Multiplayer GBL = Social learning environments

36. Interactive???? Are hyperlinks Click here

37. Interactive???? Are hyperlinks really an example Click here

38. Interactive???? Are hyperlinks really an example of interactivity? Click here

39. The weakness of eLearning Recall, memorise, identify & list information = Shallow learning

40. The strength of GBL Develop understanding, comprehension, appreciation = Deep learning

41. Characteristics of games Realistic environments & systems Clearly defined rules Clearly defined objectives Truly interactive Clear outcomes & feedback Adapt (flow state) Foster high cognitive activity ….are enjoyable

42. Examples of GBL in action Business education & management training

43. Examples of GBL in action Corporate & Social responsibility

44. Examples of GBL in action Retail careers advisory / staff training

45. Examples of GBL in action ITQ – portfolio creation

46. Examples of GBL in action Leisure centre – staff training

47. Examples of GBL in action Sales force training

48. Examples of GBL in action Hospitality & catering - training

49. Examples of GBL in action Telesales – staff product knowledge training

50. It is all in the blend! • Enhancement not replacement • Games DON’T do content (the theory) • Games DO enable learners put the theory into practise. • Partnerships are key – EPIC, Fuel, John Matchetts, Edexcel & Coventry University