Workshop Overview

The goal of this workshop (presented at the 2008 International Conference for the Learning Sciences at Utrecht University) is not to talk about epistemic games for their own sake. Rather, we will use the techniques, methods, and ideas we have developed in creating epistemic games as a starting point for a broader discussion of the learning science of developing and testing theory-based games. In working towards this goal, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and reflect on their own work on game development and to create and/or refine their own ideas about games and learning. Specifically, by the end of the workshop, participants will have begun to develop a ‘toolkit’ of strategies and techniques for the design, implementation, and assessment of their own games. We will also create an online discussion board for the participants to use after the workshop in order to continue the conversations started during the session.