Reams and reams of text have been written about the practical implementation of game-based learning, but a school in New York has taken it to a whole new level. Quest to Learn is a school which uses the underlying design principles of games to create highly immersive, game-like learning experiences for students.
The school has been founded by the Institute of Play, a New York City-based nonprofit organization that researches the connections between games and learning, and New Visions for Public Schools , a New York City-based educational reform organization that works to improve academics in the city.
Quest to Learn facilitates learning by encouraging its students to collaborate, solve problems and innovate by using various kinds of games. However, Quest is not a school whose curriculum is made up of the play of commercial videogames, but rather a school that uses the underlying design principles of games to create learning experiences.
Students also regularly use digital media like blogs, Skype and a custom-made social networking site to create projects and share their ideas with their classmates.
Children and adults all around the world now use digital media as part of their everyday interactions, be it in school, at home or at the workplace — perhaps their learning should too.
“Thanks to Aneesh Bhat, a member of my instructional design team for the heads-up on Quest to Learn.”
