Game Based Learning 2009

Kim Aplin is a primary teacher and Depute Head from Aberdeenshire on secondment to Learning and Teaching Scotland.

Kim first became interested in the use computer games to motivate and engage learners two years ago. She successfully piloted the use of ‘Guitar Hero’ in the classroom as a starting point for developing a cross curricular project to raise attainment and motivate and engage learners to reach high standards. Since then Kim has successfully piloted 2 further projects involving the use of ‘Crazy Talk’ – software that allows the creation of 3D talking characters from an image and ‘Endless Ocean’ (a game for the Wii console) in which a rich context for learning was developed that included the exploration of biodiversity, conservation and climate change.

During the last 3 months, Kim has been working with Derek Robertson at the Consolarium at Learning and Teaching Scotland. She has been collaborating with local authorities and teachers throughout Scotland to investigate further the impact of computer games in the classroom.