This document discusses building a sustainable innovation ecosystem for video game-based learning. It argues that current game-based learning products have not achieved critical mass due to three main problems: 1) schools need to be redesigned to be intrinsically motivating; 2) game-based learning is not being deployed disruptively; and 3) a sustainable innovation ecosystem must be constructed. It proposes targeting areas of non-consumption and using disruptive implementation strategies to pilot game-based learning before approaching mainstream schools. Government funding alone will not create the needed innovation ecosystem; collaborative efforts are required between various stakeholders.

1. Video Games & Education
How To Build A Sustainable
Innovation Ecosystem
Al Meyers, Saisei Consulting
www.reinventedsolutions.com
Immersive Education Summit
April 23 – 25, 2010

2. Is This Vision Possible?
TED 2009 Palm Springs
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

3. About Me : Nearly 20 Years
Relevant Experience
• Consumer behavior analytics
• Kids media
Media • Digital Media
Strategist • Organizational Behavior
• Extensive International Expertise
(Japan, Korea, China)
• GameTap
• TedX Peachtree
Innovation • Atlanta Music Project
• Disrupting Class
• Past4Ward
• ReinventED Solutions
• FAS
Education • Kauffman
• Partnership for 21st Century Skills
• Penn Baseball Hall of Fame
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

4. Efficacy of Game‐Based Learning (PBL):
Already Proven Through Research
Experiential
Learning
Inquiry‐
Feedback based
Learning
Learning
Outcomes
Cooperation Goal Setting
Self Efficacy
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5. And We Know The Importance of
"Quality Time" On Task
• People persist through "non‐fun" things when playing
• Willing to work to play
• Engage in socially complex systems and interpersonal
interactions
Source: Scott Rigby 2008 GDC Presentation; Jane McGonigal Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

6. And There Is Perceived Demand From
Education
Games or activities for student use in school 65%
Interactive lesson plans 59%
Research information for student use 58%
Current events information 57%
Image collections 57%
Games or activities for student use out of school 55%
Information for own professional development 53%
Online video library/exclusive content 53%
Primary source materials 50%
Interactive simulations 49%
Online video library/previously aired content 48%
Student‐produced multimedia 43%
Data Sets 39%
Student created websites 38%
Opportunitites to interact with experts 35%
Student submission Websites 29%
Non‐interactive lesson plans 20%
Audio on Handheld Devices 16%
Blogs 15%
Facebook, Wiki, social media communities 14%
Video on Handheld Devices 12%
Source: PBS and Grunwald Associates LLC, 2009 Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

7. However, Current GBL Products Have
Not Achieved Critical Mass
Distribution Model Illustrative Examples
Direct‐To‐Teacher
Direct‐To‐District
Direct‐To‐Student
Bundled with Teacher Training
Via 3rd Party Large Textbook
Publishers
“Games to Laptops”
Via Installed Hardware Base Initiative
Co‐Development with School
Source: Mayo “Bringing Game-Based Learning to Scale” Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

8. Examples of Innovative GBL Products
Subject Areas Illustrative Examples
Language Learning
Civics/Social Studies
Financial Literacy
Observation: None Directly Target "STEM"
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

9. What Is The Problem?
1. Schools must be redesigned
to become intrinsically
motivating environments.
2. GBL products are not being
deployed "disruptively."
3. A "Sustainable Innovation
Ecosystem" must be
constructed.
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

10. How Do We "Intrinsically Motivate"
Students?
Is it this? Or this?
Underlying principle of intrinsic motivation:
Sustained fun and commercial success occur
most strongly when specific intrinsic
motivational needs are satisfied by a game.
Source: Scott Rigby, Ph.D., 2007 GDC Presentation Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

11. Can GBL Be Successful While Schools
Are Being Re‐engineered?
Old School Design Utopia
Game Requirements
• High production value
• Non‐linear, complex narratives
• Teacher training
• Assessment system
• Time on task
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

12. We Must Deploy GBL Disruptively
Primer: The relative economics of sustaining
versus disruptive innovations
Disruptive innovations create asymmetric competition
Incumbents nearly always win
Performance
Different measure
of Performance
Performance that customers
can utilize or absorb
Time
Entrants nearly always win Time
Source: Disrupting Class Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

13. Maybe We’re Putting The Cart Before
The Horse?
From the mainstream Ed Tech establishment:
"It must fit into my comfort zone"
"Don’t call it Edugames, call it a lab"
"Show me how to incorporate it"
"Must align to standards and fit into a class period"
THIS IS CALLED "CRAMMING"
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14. The Golden Rule of Disruptive Innovation:
Target Areas of Non‐Consumption
Recorded Sold to music listeners
who did not attend
Music concerts
Initially only worked for
Telephone local calls
Focus on individual songs
Downloadable versus entire albums –
music industry phased out
Digital Media singles in 1990s
Project‐based learning;
Game‐based eLearning; new charter
school designs; after school
Learning??? programs; new territories,
low achievers
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

15. How Do You Implement GBL in K‐12?
Target Non‐
Consumption
Areas For Pilot
Schools
Approach
Mainstream Suggested GBL Perform
Schools When Efficacy
Conditions Are Disruptive Research
Favorable Implementation Plan
Sell To Non‐
Consumption
Areas, Other
Distribution
Channels
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16. We Must Create a Sustainable
"Innovation Ecosystem"
Definition: Innovation that lays a
foundation for true global
competitiveness and leadership.
Strategic Focus
+ Idea Generation
+ Translational Pathways
+ Financial/Infrastructural/Human Capital
= Innovation Ecosystem
Source: Shirley Ann Jackson, PHD “Expediting Serendipity: Building An Innovative Ecosystem” 10/09
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

17. Government Funding Alone Will Not Create A
Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem
Old Model New Model
Economic development is a
Government drives collaborative process
involving government at
economic development
multiple levels, companies,
through policy decisions and teaching and research
incentives. institutions, and private sector
organizations.
Examples of Best Practices
• South Korea (Korea Industrial Complex Corporation –
KICOX)
• Singapore’s National Institute of Education
Source: Michael Porter, “Regional Competitiveness in a Global Economy,” 5/18/09 Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010

18. GBL Innovators Need Creative Solutions To
Succeed In Current Environment
Don’t Follow The Traditional Path
Use Disruptive Innovation Theory As A Roadmap
Our Common Goal: Get GBL On This List!
Property of Saisei Consulting, Inc. 2010