About
In November 2009, I accepted a faculty research and consulting position with the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence (SITE) with the Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus. In this position, I am responsible for data mining a vast array of institutional data tied to undergraduate education at PSU, helping to identify trends and inform high-level administrators and decision-makers. I also act as a faculty consultant, working with faculty at the University Park campus and around the state on teaching and learning strategies, specifically around online teaching and innovative practices, such as using web 2.0 tools and interactive media as part of the teaching and learning experience.
In my spare time I’m an avid gamer, which is vitally important to anyone interested in using games and simulations for teaching and learning. I’ve sat in too many conference rooms and hotel lobbies talking with administrators and/or VPs who want to implement ’serious games’ into their organization, but haven’t actually played a video game since Pac-Man. If we’re going to continue to grow this space, we MUST dedicate ourselves to learning from current video games. How can we borrow elements from successful games and integrate them into our environments? What elements of games work for education? What elements lead to collaboration? Engagement? Motivation? The only way to get close to these answers are to play!
Currently playing:
World of Warcraft - There’s a reason over 35 million people have played this game. The design is magnificent and Blizzard continues to innovate with each new expansion.
Portal - extremely good puzzle game using Valve’s Source engine. I believe this could go directly into a curriculum, such as engineering or architecture.
Team Fortress 2 - another Valve product. Similar to Counter Strike and Unreal Tournament, but with a very unique style and feel to the game.
Mass Effect 2 - Feels like you’re playing a movie. Very hard to explain.
Rock Band - the new ultimate party game. The drums are a bit difficult to learn, but I can’t get enough of watching friends try and belt out songs while 3 other people are jamming on plastic instruments.
Dragon Age: Origins - similar to Mass Effect, but set in a fantasy world.
