Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Simulations and Serious Games: How the Most Valuable Content Will be Created in the Age Beyond Gutenberg to Google (Pfeiffer ... Resources for Training and HR Professionals)

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Finally there is a "coffee table" resource book that creators of educational games and simulations can use to build mutual understanding and increase collaboration between all members of the development team and sponsors. Too often a professor or corporate client uses their powerful position to tell experienced and educated multi-media designers what elements and mechanics make a great simulation without intellectual discussion or the unpinning to support their assertions. Enter "The Complete Guide." Thank you, Clark Aldrich, for once again adding to our body of knowledge on this subject and thus improving the interactivity and educational effectiveness of this new way of "learning to be and do" as opposed to "learning to know" (simply forcing learners to absorb a lecture and memorize). Clark's work also stands out because he is brilliant, with a writing style that is witty and full of humor. His work can be fun to read (although I don't recommend trying to read this entire book). Clark is able to successfully accomplish this work of epic portions because he is not only a "student of simulations and games" but he actually practices what he preaches in the real world as a simulation designer/developer. [...]

If you are a serious game designer, then this book, in which Mr. Aldrich provides a comprehensive and exhaustive assessment of all elements and building blocks of sims, is must read. But beyond the community of people passionate about serious games, this book is a revelation to anyone interested in exploring the next generation in education, and understanding why and how sims can significantly improve and enhance traditional teaching ann learning.

This book provides a much needed comprehensive overview of the current state of serious games and learning simulations. Mr. Aldrich also provides a common set of terms that will help training professionals connect when discussing the application of these new tools, critical to the future of learning. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a serious interest in the application of technology to human performance improvement.

Providing equal parts overview, strategy guide, reference manual and framework, "The Complete Guide to Simulations and Serious Games" is a must have resource for developers and educators alike. Mr. Aldrich presents an impressive, non-linear, array of information that not only defines "WHAT is immersive learning" but also focuses on the HOW and WHY of the simulation development process. From pedagogy and learning goals, to case-studies and analysis, this book makes the case, and lays the groundwork for educational reform. It bridges the gap between educators and the game development community by providing tangible evidence on how sims significantly increase awareness, retention, and application of learned content.

Additionally, Mr. Aldrich has given the serious games/simulations community a comprehensive lexicon; providing a mechanism for facilitating meaningful conversations on concepts, structures, and approaches.

For anyone developing learning simulations and serious games in the near future, this book provides a wealth of information and reference material. My company ([...]) has been developing learning simulations for several years and most of what we've found for reference points is either dated or lacking. The Complete Guide .... validates many of the decisions we made to date and provides a substantial number of ideas for future work as well.