U.S. Ed. Dept. Challenge Offers Big Prize Money for Educational Simulations
The U.S. Department of Education is launching a competition with a $680,000 pool of prize money, for designers of the next generation of educational simulations that strengthen career and technical skills.
Specifically, the department seeks concepts for “immersive simulations that transfer academic, technical, and employability skills,” according to an announcement today. Submissions should combine the engagement of commercial games “with rigorous educational content to prepare students for the 21st century workforce.”
The grand prize winner of the challenge will receive $430,000, and five finalists will receive $50,000 each.
Virtual reality, video game developer, and educational technology communities are being invited to submit “concepts for virtual and augmented reality educational experiences that combine existing and future technologies with skill-building content and assessment,” the announcement said.
The developer community is being encouraged to collaborate and make aspects of the simulations available through open-source licenses and low-cost shareable components.
An overview of the challenge, and specific rules, are available here. Anyone interested should submit their simulation concepts by Jan. 17, 2017.
See also:
- Virtual Reality: Poised to Bring Big Changes to Education?
- What Does the Popularity of Pokemon Go Mean for K-12 Gaming? A Q-and-A With James Gee
- K-12 Venture Capital in 2016: Data Analytics, Virtual Reality Could Make Gains (premium content)
- Google Cardboard Aims to Bring Virtual Reality to Schools Through Simple Means
- District Official to Game Developers: Show Me the Data, and the Assessments (premium content)
Great Idea! I am forwarding this announcement throughout my network. I do not see, however, in your brief description how the simulations will be tied to the classroom, to post-secondary education institutions, to the for-profit sector employment offer, to the community at large. I did not see the most important component in any digital/technological initiative: a dedicated IT professional who will manage the digital tools created. This is a vital component because most of the gains in this field are undermined by poor management at the schools and elsewhere. Thank You! Success! cjr: )