November 6 , 2007

SAGE for Learning Online Game Screenshot

Countless headlines portray children’s video games as anti-social, violent and mind numbing, but what if the negative aspects of gaming could be removed and replaced with games that promote memory, social engagement and motivation?  The SAGE (Simulation and Advanced Gaming Environments for Learning) research network recently wrapped up four years of study at a Quebec City conference. This bilingual, nationwide initiative, spearheaded by Dr. David Kaufman, a professor in the SFU Faculty of Education, seeks to explore the potential of simulations and games in supporting learning.  Specifically, SAGE seeks to understand how people learn through these new technologies, how to integrate this learning with theoretical knowledge to produce effective simulations and games in real settings and, finally, how to measure and evaluate the learning that takes place.

Dr. Kaufman asserts that the benefits of gaming as a learning tool are impressive; they are immersive and have an immediate “hook-in”; they are engaging; they are social, as evidenced by the “characters” involved and the multi-player aspect and they are motivational in that end results are achieved through competitive situations.

While these are all important aspects of learning, David Kaufman states “Technology will never make teachers obsolete. Face-to-face interaction should not be replaced, these are just different teaching methods”. He also predicts that games and simulations for learning are not a fad, but will become a powerful adjunct for learning at all levels and that this example of learning-centered education could potentially lead to startling results for on-line learners and distance education.

The SAGE initiative is now focusing efforts on a book to be co-written by the 19 researchers involved in the project that spans nine institutions across Canada in the fields of education, psychology, computer science and new digital media.  It is hoped that this work will answer some major questions about how our education approaches should evolve in a world of ever changing technology to make learning attractive, effective and easily accessible to Canadians.  Finally, it is anticipated that projects such as this will position Canada at the forefront of a fledgling industry that will create exciting opportunities to help learners everywhere.

For more information, go to www.sageforlearning.ca