According to Clark Aldrich, a passionate advocate for the potential for learning simulations and serious games, a learning simulation is “an experience designed to rigorously help users develop competence and conviction. A learning simulation is a combination of modeling elements, entertainment (or game) elements, and instructional (or pedagogical) elements. These can range from pure media (which do not involve any other humans), to experiences that use coaches, teammates, competitors, and communities.”
TeachThought will have much more on simulations later this week–including an interview with Aldrich on simulations and what makes them tick. For now, over on his website Aldrich is amassing a registry of simulations and serious games for the purpose of cataloging, understanding, and improved visibility for their potential.
The goal is for this database to eventually become a fully searchable online tool. We’re going to support the effort by including some of the profiles we think might resonate with you, here, while also encouraging you over to his website to check out the full collection, including other related content and expertise from Mr. Aldrich.
The first example, Family of Heroes, appears below.
Profile: Family of Heroes
| Title | Family of Heroes |
| Version | |
| Other versions | |
| Sponsor/Producer | Veterans Affairs of NY/NJ |
| Developer | Kognito Interactive |
| Series | |
| Number in Series | |
| Company Description | Kognito, headquartered in New York City, creates online role-playing simulations where users develop interpersonal skills and learn to effectively manage challenging conversations in the areas of health and behavioral health Kognito’s simulations have been adopted by 200 organizations including the VA and the Departments of Health in NY, AZ, TX, VA, and OH to train over one million teachers, university faculty, students, health practitioners and families of veterans. |
| Description | Family of Heroes aids families in relieving relationship strains following a loved one’s deployment |
| Categories/Folksonomy | * Government/Military |
| Lead Designer | |
| Other Designers/ Writers | |
| Lead Programmer | |
| Lead Artist / Video | |
| Price | |
| Link | |
| Demo Available | http://kognito.com/ptsd |
| Link to Video | |
| Link(s) to Support Material | |
| Platform(s) | “*PC * Web Browser” |
| Customizable (1 to 10) | 1 |
| Special Hardware | None |
| Toolkit/Language used | Kognito’s proprietary Human Interaction Game Engine™ |
| Year Designed | |
| LMS Integration/ SCORM | |
| Skill Level (Corporate/Military/Government)/Grade Level (Academic) | |
| Student time | |
| Available ([O]pen / [R]estricted by Organization / [N]o longer Available | “The families of approximately one million veterans in the New York City, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley and the state of New Jersey area can access the training via the VA of NY/NJ (VISN 3) website” |
| Single player/Multiplayer | Single |
| Category: | Educational Simulations |