News story

#GameWeek asks the big questions about elearning games

Plymouth, UK07 Apr 2015Learning NewsSponge

The role of games within elearning and their effectiveness in workplace training are among the topics to be explored in a week long social media event.

#GameWeek, hosted by award-winning elearning provider, Sponge UK, will bring together blogs, infographics, opinion and resources from around the world about game-based learning and gamification. 

The event includes a keynote interview with Professor Karl M. Kapp of Bloomsburg University, who is a leading authority on the use of games in learning and instruction. 

He will explore whether games can really teach and how game design differs from ‘traditional’ instructional design – among other topics. 

Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director of Sponge UK, said: “We get a lot of enquiries about elearning games and introducing game thinking in elearning.  

“Many organisations have questions about how they can be used effectively and appropriately in the workplace.

“We decided to host #GameWeek as a way of sharing knowledge and also generating debate around some of the big questions concerning gamification and elearning games.” 

Game-based learning is one of the fastest growing sectors in the learning technologies industry with the global market valued at around 1.7 billion.[i] 

In 2014, 24% of L&D leaders used games or simulations in their training[ii] and the figure is expected to increase this year. 

#GameWeek takes place from April 11-17, 2015 via Sponge UK’s social media channels. 

The company’s game expert, Jason Butler, will be hosting a Twitter chat via @Sponge_UK between 12-1pm (BST) on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. 

Those who would like to get involved with #GameWeek should email communications@spongeuk.com.