Video Games and the 21st Century Classroom

By Scott Traylor
CEO and Founder, 360KID

Just eight years ago, before the Internet bubble burst, colleges were scrambling to offer as many web development classes as they could. The future of the Internet seemed clear. At the time, I was a computer science teacher, and any class having to do with web programming, interactive development or digital communications had lengthy waiting lists to get in. I considered the growing interest in Internet development skills to be mainly for adults; however, a few years later I was surprised to see students latching on to the Internet as a medium for expression, using the web as their own personal sketch pads to share artwork, writings and ideas with the world.

Today, a similar parallel within the technology world is emerging through gaming. Forward thinking universities are offering game studies programs, with degrees that focus on the world of video games, and for good reason. The video games industry is thriving. In 2007, the US consumer-based video games industry expanded by 43%, growing to almost $18 billion. In 2008, year to date sales are 26% over last year’s record-breaking numbers. Unlike the Web 1.0 past, the video games’ world is ready to grab hold of every new graduate coming out of such programs. Could it be that in just a few short years, students will start creating their own video games as their next digital sketch pad to share their ideas globally? Or could it be – as I believe – that day has already arrived.

Online Piracy–The Next Generation

As part of AEP’s continuing research and reporting on Publishing for the Digital Future, we are examining the issue of online piracy. Please read and react to this first installment.

With the continuing innovation of scanning and file-sharing technology, a lack of education (and/or respect) for copyright laws, and a culture that expects that anything can be found on the Internet for free, publishers of all media are finding their content can be hijacked and redistributed without their knowledge. And while the problem is seemingly greater in the college market, K-12 educational publishers should take notice of the issue and prepare their businesses.

Training Educational Publishers for the Digital Era

By Phyllis H. Hillwig, Ed.D.
Chief Operating Officer, Words & Numbers

With globalization, fierce competition, and advancement in technology solutions, the challenge for educational publishers is to anticipate market demands as well as produce quality products faster and cheaper than ever before. In a world of transparency, where anyone can discover anything about you or your products within a few clicks on the Internet, the only market advantage is in your people. Your staff and their talents, experience, and knowledge are truly what delineate you from your competition. So, how do you cultivate and nurture this valuable asset to compete in this age of publishing?