Game Based Learning calls for industry action

The organisers of Game Based Learning have called on the UK games industry to get involved in an effort to fix the skills crisis affecting the sector.

The games industry has suffered from a shortage of students taking subjects in science, technology, engineering or maths, with many developers unable to source top talent.

But GBL conference director Graham Brown-Martin feels that involving video games in the education process can help reverse this trend.

To compete, studios need first class talent,” he said. Where is the talent going to come from for this expanding, global video games industry?

The aim of Game Based Learning as a conference is to bring together industry and education leaders, publishers, developers, innovators and practitioners to share their knowledge and explore the very positive impact that games and social media are having on learning, teaching and training.”

Brown-Martin also feels involvement in GBL can help persuade industry sceptics that video games can really be a benefit to society.

Games have been repeatedly abused by the mainstream media for the decay of western society,” he added.

Yet, there are hundreds of good news stories from the education sector where games and social media are being used throughout the country to improve educational attainment, social cohesion, well-being and family play.

This is a vital opportunity for the industry to learn about these under-the-radar activities, engage with this practice and encourageme their detractors to take a second look at the strong benefits of games.”

The Game Based Learning Conference takes place from Monday, March 29th to Tuesday, March 30th at The Brewery in London, and will feature speakers from the education and games sector, as well as key figures from the UK Government. The official website can be found here.