Gaming the Past

Although a relatively new field of research, the role of computer games in education has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Researchers, technologists, and educators have explored the potential of computer games as learning tools.
Websites and Web Content

Games, Learning, and Society Conference 2006: Historical Thinking and Games (video) – begins with my case study of Rome:Total War as a historical interpretation. Also includes a presentation by Muzzy Lane Software’s Nick DeKanter, and Kevin Kee of Brock University.

Education Arcade 2005: Civilization III Case Studies (video) – Includes Patricia Seed’s (Rice University) presentation on the use of Civ III in her world history classes and my presentation on the value of Civilization III for teaching about pre-industrial society

Simulating History – A Canadian research initiative studying ways to use games to teach history.

The Electronic Archaeologist – Shawn Graham’s site for developing the use of games and virtual worlds for the study of history and archaeology.

Educational Games Research Blog

Joystick 101 Blog – Games, Gaming Culture, Games & Learning, etc.

Kurt Squire’s Homepage – Kurt Squire is part of the Educational Communications and Technology division of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has researched and written considerably on the role of computer games in education.

Games, Learning, and Society – The Games, Learning, and Society page is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Education Arcade – The Education Arcade is a conference on games and learning held by M.I.T. and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The site includes videos of presentations and panels.

Serious Games Initiative – includes the subsites “Games for Health” and “Games for Change”

Serious Games Summit – The annual meeting web page from 2006

Serious Games Source

Social Impact Games: Entertaining Games with Non-Entertainment Goals – Includes lists and (where available) links to serious games

Serious Games – A serious games portal