Screen Australia in concert with ABC TV are supporting a Serious Games Initiative and are looking for interested people to hook up to propose and develop a serious game. As someone with extensive interest and knowledge in the area, alongside practical experience in the game and entertainment industries, I’m looking for similarly interested and experienced individuals to partner up with. Feel free to contact me via the Contact page of my blog.

So come and join me… and lets develop a serious game together

You can find more about the initiative at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/seriousgames/default.html.

Jason Hill, journalist for Screen Play, published an article yesterday on the benefits of games as a valuable learning tools. The article was the result of a discussion paper written by authorities on children’s media, Patricia and Don Edgar, and was the precursor to a book on the subject.

In the article they outline how evidence is mounting about games being recognized as effective and valuable learning tools. The research is focused on digital/electronic games rather than other forms of games (e.g. physical social games, board games) or free play. The authors outline a list of skills and benefits from games including comprehension, decision making, multitasking, collaboration, leadership and communication, and explain how games can be valuable in both formal learning contexts such as school and informal learning contexts such as the home.

Links
Jason Hill’s Article http://www.smh.com.au/news/digital-life/games/articles/games-are-valuable-learning-tools/2009/04/08/1238869978049.html
Discussion Report http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/earlyyears/Edgar_Paper_20081223.pdf