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Bert Snow

The “learning sciences” make up an interdisciplinary field of research with the common goal of studying and understanding how people learn and how to apply this understanding to the design and evaluation of learning experiences. Insights from learning sciences research can help game-based-learning designers create more effective resources. And help educators evaluate and choose GBL and other resources that will work best for their learners. Over the last few years, experienced game-based-learning designer Bert Snow has worked with ISTE to create a series of learning-sims for the Course of Mind project, which brings insights from the Learning Sciences to teachers. As you can imagine, those sims needed to model good learning science, as well as shed light on it. Drawing on that work, Bert will present key insights from learning science that can help you create effective learning games (and other projects), He will also debunk some pervasive myths about learning, and highlight some design potholes to avoid. Bert will also offer resources and tips for taking advantage of what the learning sciences can offer. This session is appropriate for designers, developers, curriculum specialists, instructional designers, and educators for any audience.

Attendee Benefits

Participants of this session will leave the session empowered by the why and how of learning to do impactful work, and with tips and resources to dive deeper into what the learning sciences offer. This will include: - A set of 4-5 learning techniques that research has shown to be effective, along with tips for applying them in game-based-learning. - Some features of game-based learning that are supported by learning-science research, and some that are not. - Ways to use learning-sciences insights in the design, evaluation, and implementation of game-based learning - Digital ‘take home’ resources to reinforce what you’ve learned - Links and resources to dive deeper into all the learning sciences offer.