Learning by Doing

Learning by Doing A Comprehensive Guide to Simulations, Computer Games, and Pedagogy in e-Learning and Other Educational Experiences
Author(s)	Clark Aldrich
Language	English
Category	Education
Publisher	Pfeiffer
Publication date	May 5, 2005
Pages	400
ISBN	978-0787977351

Book Description

Designed for learning professionals and drawing on both game creators and instructional designers, Learning by Doing explains how to select, research, build, sell, deploy, and measure the right type of educational simulation for the right situation. It covers simple approaches that use basic or no technology through projects on the scale of computer games and flight simulators. The book role models content as well, written accessibly with humor, precision, interactivity, and lots of pictures. Many will also find it a useful tool to improve communication between themselves and their customers, employees, sponsors, and colleagues. As John Coné, former chief learning officer of Dell Computers, suggests, 'Anyone who wants to lead or even succeed in our profession would do well to read this book.'

From the Inside Flap

When it comes to education and training, computer games change everything. Generations of game creators have raised the bar on engagement, and opened the door to new types of material that can be formally learned. At the same time, leading academic, corporate, and military instructors have developed new types of interactive content. Most have worked dramatically better than the traditional alternatives, if only in specific situations.

Designed for learning professionals and drawing on both game creators and instructional designers, Learning by Doing explains how to select, research, build, sell, deploy, and measure the right type of educational simulation for the right situation. It covers simple approaches that use basic or no technology through projects on the scale of computer games and flight simulators.

The book role models content as well, written accessibly with humor, precision, interactivity, and lots of pictures. Many will also find it a useful tool to improve communication between themselves and their customers, employees, sponsors, and colleagues. As John Coné, former chief learning officer of Dell Computers, suggests, 'Anyone who wants to lead or even succeed in our profession would do well to read this book.'

Editorial Reviews

"Learning by Doing is the real thing, written by a man who has built simulations that actually work. Aldrich offers deep and lucid theory always accessibly packaged inside fully practical examples and applications. His new book is the best way available today to come to grips with changes that will eventually transform learning in our schools, workplaces, and society."
--James Paul Gee, author, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy; professor, University of Wisconsin at Madison

"Clark Aldrich draws upon a vast array of resources, from higher education to the corporate world, from state-of-the-art computer games to live role plays to get a sense of where we can go in learning. Filled with practical suggestions and diverse examples, this book is a great read for educators of all types."
--Marshall S. Smith, director, education program, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

"Clark Aldrich has been in the e-learning trenches for years. Learning By Doing is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn from the problems, surprises, and successes he experienced."
--Tom M. Kelly, vice president, Internet Learning Solutions, Cisco

"Learning by Doing provides a comprehensive and informed review of the present and possible futures of simulations and learning games. It's refreshing to see such a complex topic addressed with humor and scholarly acuity."
--Noah Falstein, formerly game designer and executive producer, LucasArts Entertainment and Dreamworks Interactive; freelance game and simulation designer, www.theinspiracy.com

"If you want to design a new learning experience or enhance existing content with game interactions and simulations, Aldrich presents you with a clear outline of your options."
--Margaret Corbit, research outreach, Cornell Theory Center, Cornell University

About the Author

Clark Aldrich has been called an 'e-learning Guru' by Fortune Magazine, 'Visionary of the Industry' by Training magazine, and a member of 'Training's New Guard' by the American Society of Training and Development for his roles as an e-learning analyst, consultant, and designer. He was the lead designer of SimuLearn's Virtual Leader (Best Online Product of the Year, Training Media Review in Training & Development magazine, 2004) and author of Simulations and the Future of Learning. Aldrich has been a subject-matter expert on e-learning and simulations for almost every major news source, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CBS, CNET, Business 2.0, CNN, and U.S. News and World Report. Previously, he was the research director that had created and was topic leader for Gartner's e-learning coverage. He lives in Madison, Connecticut.

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