[arg_discuss] Commercial ARGs with learning outcomes

[Steve Vosloo]

The Foundation for which I work tries to innovate within the space of 
education (formal and informal) (amongst other spaces). I've suggested 
ARGs as an innovative way for youth to develop certain skills whilst 
they employ social media -- sometimes in a pop culture-based story context.

The way that we work is that usually we pilot demonstration projects and 
then present the results to bigger stakeholders who can scale these 
projects, e.g. the Department of Education in South Africa.

After having read Jane McGonical's /Why I Love Bees: A Case Study in 
Collective Intelligence Gaming/ and other pieces on the learning 
outcomes of ARG play, I'm asking this: if commercial companies use ARGs 
for marketing purposes, and players learn from them, then are these 
companies some of the stakeholders that the Shuttleworth Foundation 
should try to influence? Did I Love Bees turn Microsoft's gaming unit 
into creators of educational experiences? Did /The Lost Ring/ mean that 
McDonalds is not only in the fast food business, but in the business of 
education too?

All thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

-- 
Steve Vosloo
Fellow, Communication and Analytical Skills Development
The Shuttleworth Foundation

Tel: +27 21 970 1240 | Fax: +27 21 970 1241
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