Brian C. Nelson

Brian C. Nelson is an associate professor of Educational Technology in the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering at Arizona State University. Dr. Nelson's research focuses on the theory, design, and implementation of computer-based learning environments, focusing on immersive games. An instructional designer and learning theorist, he has published and presented extensively on the viability of educational virtual environments for situated inquiry learning and assessment. Dr. Nelson was the Project Designer on the River City Virtual World project through two NSF-funded studies, and is a Co-Principal Investigator on the NSF-funded SAVE Science and SURGE studies. Each of these studies explores the use of computer games to teach and assess science inquiry and content. He was recently co-PI on two MacArthur Foundation grants: 21st Century Assessment, investigating new models for assessment in digital media-based learning environments, and Our Courts, creating and assessing an immersive game to promote civic engagement.