[game_edu] looking for support data

[Beth Aileen Dillon]

Check out this paper by Libero Ficocelli in the Canadian Game Studies
Association Loading journal, particularly from the "A Window of
Opportunity" section onward. He directly addresses how a game related
segment improves enrollment for Computer Science programs.

- Beth


On Dec 11, 2007 1:04 PM, S. Gold <goldfile at gmail.com> wrote:

>

>  I am going to make the school anonymous to hide the fact that some are

> still rather archaic in their thinking, but I would like your help in

> getting data to help dissuade the "powers that be" at that institution

> regarding games as a part of CS education.

>

>  Here is the abbreviated story:

>

>

> Dean of school wanted to have an outside reviewer of CS curriculum.

> Reviewers were picked because of their high profile in computer science

> education through the ACM. They also both are familiar with the mindset of a

> small liberal arts college. The two reviewers were both computer science

> professors (one male, one female) at very respectable schools. Both are long

> time active (at a high level) members in education in the ACM. One has

> played a big role in designing the ACM curriculum. These same reviewer is

> very frequently called on to review departments.

> Came back to CS Chair and their comments were that school should "downplay

> games".

>

>  note Chair of department said to me: This struck me as odd given that 1) we

> don't even do a lot with games at the moment and 2) it goes against ACM

> recommendations, not to mention a lot of computer science educators.

>

>  Now this particular school wants to go with the reviewers comments. The

> department would like to get some data and other details showing information

> to contrary. Ideally, that games do have a positive effect on CS program

> development. Or possibly encouraging more students to pursue CS as a degree.

> More so, that it would not scare away any potential female applicants.

>

>  Has anyone put together these type of materials for their own programs?

> What have you had to do to get games in your CS program? I am very curious

> to find out if we can put together a body of resources to share to help

> combat situations like these.

>

>  Again, I would be most interested in not only finding out how you managed

> to succeed in getting games in your program or how these situations finally

> get resolved at your institution. Learning from each other is the best

> resource I know.

>  I personally was asked to start our game program, so I did not fall into

> this situation. Getting the rest of the faculty to concur is another issue,

> as so many do not feel that games are worthy academic pursuit. But that is

> not the battle today, the issue is how to educate administrators to the

> benefits of games in computer science programs. Any new white papers, known

> data resources, etc.. would be most beneficial.

>

>  Sincerely,

>  Susan

>

>  --

>  Prof. Susan Gold

>  Chair, IGDA Education SIG

>

>  "There's this game where you put in a dollar and you win four quarters. I

> win every time." - Chris Griffin, Family Guy

>

> _______________________________________________

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>

>




-- 
Beth Aileen Dillon
PhD Student, Simon Fraser University
School of Interactive Arts and Technology
Research Assistant, Aboriginal Territories in Cyberspace
http://www.bethadillon.com
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