Consolarium
The vibrant and dynamic world of the computer game and how it can impact on teaching and learning in Scottish schools is an area of development that Learning and Teaching Scotland is committed to exploring, promoting and developing.
In order to support this we have established the Consolarium, otherwise known as the Scottish Centre for Games and Learning. This is a centre in our Dundee office where we aim to:
- explore the range of games technologies available and, in doing so, inform and influence new curriculum developments both in theory and in practice
- provide a place where teachers and others involved in education are given hands-on access to these resources
- provide an opportunity for teachers and educators to engage with the debate about the place of such technology in their class, school or local authority
- develop relationships with academic and industry partners to extend and refine effective and innovative practice with computer games.
The Consolarium has a comprehensive range of games-related resources as well as state-of-the-art teaching materials. These include:
- Sony Playstation 3
- Microsoft Xbox 360 live
- Sony Playstation 2
- Nintendo Wii
- Sony PSP
- Nintendo DS
- a PC and a Mac designed for use with games
- a range of peripherals such as Eye Toy, Dance Mats and guitars
- an ever-growing catalogue of console and PC/Mac-based games
- Promethean Activision+2 interactive whiteboard with sound system and an integrated wireless network for collaborative game play.
The Consolarium’s online presence will aim to provide schools with a range of resources, features and links that will assist teachers' understanding, appreciation and practical application of computer games in learning contexts.
We want to create the opportunities and frameworks that will allow us to partner local authorities that wish to explore how games-based learning can impact on teaching and learning in their schools. You are more than welcome to visit the Consolarium, to contribute to the community or to ask us to bring resources to you to support CPD or any new initiatives.