October 9, 2008
Microsoft funding academic institute on using games for education
Microsoft is funding the the Games for Learning Institute (G4LI) at NYU in Manhattan, as well as additional funding to schools like Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Parsons, Polytechnic Institute of NYU, to investigate the using of gaming technology as an educational tool for middle school children.
" Educators are hoping that by adding videogames to their education arsenals they will be able to win over Internet generation students whose math and science skills are on a disturbing decline.
"While educational games are commonplace, little is known about how, why or even if they are effective," said John Nordlinger, senior research manager for Microsoft Research's gaming efforts.
The G4LI will evaluate game prototypes and test them in New York City schools. Results will be shared with researchers, game developers and educators, Microsoft said."
Read more at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081008/ennew_afp/usitvideogameseducationcompanymicrosoft
And also the NY Times : http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_852573C400693880002574DA0051B914.html?ref=technology
Posted by undergrad at 8:51 PM | TrackBack
Local sessions on Second Life for educators
GSLIS is pleased to offer the following continuing education courses in Second Life. These courses are open to anyone interested in learning more about virtual worlds and establishing a presence in Second Life.
Setting up Your Library or Museum in Second Life This course is intended for those interested in creating their library or museum presence in SL. Each participant will be lent a small plot of land on which to develop a prototype for their SL library or museum. Instructors will focus on the information, skills, and SL utilities necessary to accomplish that task. Participants will also be given the opportunity to reinforce their learning through hands-on experiences that will result in a model for their SL library. Wednesdays, October 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm SL (U.S. Pacific) time
Intro to Museums in Virtual Worlds What is it like to work as a museum professional in the virtual world of Second Life (SL)? What skills and knowledge are needed? What resources are available? This is a hands-on course that will introduce you to building collections and exhibits in Second Life, to planning programs and events, and to the skills needed for the 21st century museum professional in a virtual world. Mondays, October 27, November 3, 10, 17 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm SL (U.S. Pacific)
Working with a Class in Second Life Join Dr. Bryan Carter (Bryan Mnemonic) in this course created to help librarians. museum professionals, and educators learn how to work with a class in Second Life including hardware and software requirements, orientation, faculty and student mindset change, establishing course objectives, finding and creating content, creating meaningful projects, evaluating student work, action learning, grants, managing a sim-island, and collaborative opportunities. Wednesdays, October 29, November 5, 12, 19 from 4:00 - 6:00 PM SL (US Pacific) time
Setting up an Educational Presence in Second Life Are you looking to set up an educational presence in Second Life but don’t know where to start? Join us to learn about planning, needs assessment, goals, expectations, buying or renting land, where to find help, prefab versus building, challenges, positives, teaching tools in Second Life such as Power point, class management, groups permissions, communication, and evaluating your presence once you have it set up. We will take field trips so students can see and discuss some of the educational presences in Second Life. Sundays, November 2, 9, 16, 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM SL (US Pacific) time
For additional information and to register: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/VW/ Marianne Steadley
Continuing Professional Development Program Director
501 E. Daniel St. Champaign IL 61820
217/244-2751
Fax: 217/244-3302
Posted by undergrad at 1:44 PM | TrackBack
October 2, 2008
UK Starting National Video Game Archive
From Gamasutra:
'Academics at Nottingham Trent University are partnering with the Bradford, UK National Media Museum to launch the country's first National Videogame Archive, to preserve the history of the medium and "recognize the significant contributions made by videogames to the diversity of popular culture across the globe." '
The archive will officially launch at the Game City 3 festival in Nottingham, from October 30th through November 1st, 2008.
