‘Serious games’ conference to showcase ways of training real knowledge workers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – It’s time to get more serious about using video games and other interactive technologies in education.

By using what are called “immersive learning” tools, a growing number of companies and institutions are offering students more ways to become knowledge workers. And much of that cutting-edge technology as well as programs to utilize these tools will be on display in Cary on Tuesday and Wednesday at the North Carolina Advanced Learning Technologies Association conference.

“Long-term competitiveness requires a skilled work force,” says Jerry Heneghan, president of NCALTA and a founder of the national ALTA program. “The ability of our children to compete and prosper in the 21st century continues to decline. Comparing our competence with that of other nations in math, science, computer literacy and engineering -- 21st century equivalents of the three Rs -- we are becoming less competitive. To compete in a knowledge economy, high-tech industries require these particular skills.”

Heneghan, who also is founder and chief executive officer of Virtual heroes, a Triangle-based firm that focuses on 3D simulation development, will tell conference attendees that North Carolina is well positioned to make “serious games” a learning tool across the state.

“Advanced Learning Technologies, or ALT, leverages simulation learning and digital-games-based learning to accelerate education, increase proficiency and reduce training costs,” he will tell conference attendees in his keynote address. “Well-designed serious games (computer game technology used for training and education purposes), simulations for learning and virtual worlds teach by stimulating the imagination, sparking curiosity, fostering discussion and encouraging a spirit of competitive exploration across a variety of domains.

“North Carolina has a rare blend of leading learning and healthcare institutions, game development studios, new media companies, and companies dedicated to creating learning programs,” he adds. “North Carolina is rapidly becoming a global technology leader in the development and implementation of ALT. Companies creating jobs in this sector provide high-paying opportunities in the digital arts that provide the downstream benefit of improving efficiencies in government, healthcare, corporations and academia.”

A highlight of the event will be “serious games” developed on site by two teams of students from Wake Tech. The students have been schooled in the latest programming wizardry through games that are designed to promote instruction and training.

The National Science Foundation provided an $858,000 grant to launch the Wake Tech program in 2006. Wake Tech now offers an associate degree program in simulation and game development, so the first class of graduates is ready to hunt for jobs where their skills can be put to use. This program could be the first of many.

“NCALTA is focused on leveraging our native resources to further establish North Carolina as the world’s foremost hub for creating Advanced Learning Technologies and in the process create and foster an industry that will provide high paying technology jobs across our state,” Heneghan says.

If you want to learn more, check out the conference. You will find that “serious games” are fascinating indeed.