June 3, 2015
Mental Health & Social Impact Are No Game … Or Are They?
What does it mean to create an engaging online learning experience appropriate for a sensitive subject? To really build empathy and personal understanding into online education, in such a way that computer-based learners can better understand a tough topic? In any classroom, teaching about emotionally difficult educational areas – such as child safety or mental health – can shock or emotionally trigger the learner. Some popular computer-based games may be wildly inappropriate to the material or worse, potentially triggering unto themselves to students. Others are entire worlds themselves and prove difficult to use in an average online training. Still, there are current gaming paradigms that can enhance online learning about difficult subject matters. We’ll discuss recent developments in the indie gaming industry that can be an ally to teachers. Further, we’ll explore the use of pre-built game scenarios to help online educators connect with their learners.
Yori has leveraged game theory and design not only in game development, but in his approach to developing games and game communities. But it’s not all fun and games – there’s a serious side and purpose to game-inspired human-computer experiences. Yori will share insights about the pros and cons of applying gameful design to HCI.
About the Speakers
Skyler Corbett is an Online Learning Developer and Interaction Designer in Portland, Oregon. He’s interested in developing computer-user environments that encourage knowledge-sharing and participation. Recently, Skyler served with Portland State University’s School of Social Work. He enjoys managing live distance training and creating interactive online courses to keep parents, caregivers, and caseworkers abreast of policy and informed of best practices for keeping children safe.
Yori worked as a software engineer in a variety of industries from financial services, to mobile backends, to computer security, before finally turning his long time hobby of games development into a career. As the programmer for SleepNinja Games, he helped develop Monsters Ate My Birthday Cake which was published by Cartoon Network. He is currently developing their next game, Super Splataclysm, and spends his spare time teaching free community workshops on accessible game development.
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Mental Health & Social Impact Are No Game – Or Are They? from CHIFOO Communications on Vimeo.