Interdisciplinary Models and Tools for Serious Games

An exciting and burgeoning new field, the study of serious games has grown from a collection of radical ideas to a recognized and unique tool to create an engaging learning environment. Interdisciplinary Models and Tools for Serious Games: Emerging Concepts and Future Directions brings cross-disciplinary awareness into the study of games and learning by integrating theoretical models and myriad concepts from distinct fields of study, and applying them to digital game-based learning. Offering unique perspectives from authors worldwide, this book will provide insight and inspiration for technology educators, designers of educational or serious games, and anyone working or conducting research in the field of serious gaming.

Richard Van Eck is Associate Professor and Graduate Director of the Instructional Design & Technology program at the University of North Dakota (UND). He received his Ph.D. in instructional design and development from the University of South Alabama, where his dissertation examined the use of an original game to promote transfer of mathematics skills in middle school. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Memphis for 5 years, where he was also a member of the Institute for Intelligent Systems. His scholarly work on digital game-based learning includes a cover story for Educause Review, seven book chapters, two edited books, ten referee publications, 25 conference presentations, and 27 invited presentations. He has created five original games for learning, and was elected to the board of directors for the North American Simulation and Gaming Association in 2006. He currently resides in North Dakota with his wife, two cats, and two dogs who think they're people.