Originally published on June 3, 2015 (Episode 18)
Introduction
Following up on my conversation with Mark Carnes, we continue our exploration of games and history education. This time, I’m joined by Kellian Adams, founder of Green Door Labs, which specializes in creating “educational game design on demand.”
We discuss why games, with their mix of arbitrary rules and real-world consequences, resemble life itself; why they can be powerful tools for teaching; and why Kellian hates the word “gamification.” (She makes us promise never to use it again.)
About the Guest
Kellian Adams Pletcher, as she is now, was the founder of Green Door Labs, which designs immersive educational games for museums, schools, and cultural institutions. She is now at FableVision Studios, where she is the Director of G.L.A.M. (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) Innovation.
For Further Investigation
💬 Listen & Discuss
What can history teachers learn from game design? Where’s the line between serious play and trivial distraction? Share your thoughts in the comments, and pass this to a colleague experimenting with games in the classroom.
