Reviews

• Main Authors: Philip Barker, Andrea Frank, Chris Jones, Elaine Pearson, Gillian Jordan, John Traxler, Linda Clark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Association for Learning Technology 2001-12-01
• Series: Research in Learning Technology
• Online Access: http://www.researchinlearningtechnology.net/index.php/rlt/article/view/12031

The theme of this year's International Simulation and Gaming Yearbook - 'Transition and Change' - addresses the topical discourse on the improvement of pedagogy by the introduction of active and student-centred learning in UK higher education. Although the value of 'learning-by-doing' and experiential learning is well recognized by researchers in education, many subjects and university courses continue to employ teaching methods (such as lectures) that favour a passive reproduction of information rather than the fostering of student understanding. In this regard, simulations and games are powerful tools that not only promote an active, student-centred approach to learning but have the potential to help realize government policies to improve the quality of teaching and learning in higher education institutions in the UK.