Special Achievement Award for Games Guru

Learning and Teaching Scotland’s Derek Robertson has been honoured with a special achievement award by Handheld Learning 2008.

The national adviser for emerging technologies received the accolade in recognition of his research into using computer games for educational purposes.

Derek was the only Scot on the shortlist for the top gong for innovation, which included Prof Mike Sharples, Director of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Nottingham, and educational software designer Prof Angela McFarlane of Bristol University.

The 40-year-old former Dundee primary school teacher has become synonymous with games-based learning and his work in Scotland has attracted interest from academics and educationalists throughout the world.

The Handheld Learning 2008 judges said they felt Derek had made a 'significant contribution to supporting improved learning with mobile and ubiquitous technologies'.

The judging panel included the Chief Executive of the e-Learning Foundation, Valerie Thompson, Director of Mobile Learning at Steljes, Adrian Hall, and the Chairman of Handheld Learning and Codemasters.

Derek said: 'This is a great accolade for me but mostly for all the local authority partners, teachers and children in Scotland who have so willingly embraced the idea of using non-traditional ICTs in teaching and learning.

'It's great to be involved with a national organisation like Learning and Teaching Scotland that is prepared to take informed risks that will help us continue to explore how we can ensure that the learner experience is as good as it can be.

'I'm really pleased that our work has gone some way to changing the discourse about the place of games in learning and I feel that this award affirms and validates what we are all about.'

Derek also hosted a seminar at the Handheld Learning Conference showcasing the excellent work integrating technology in Scottish schools and classrooms. Laurie O’Donnell, Director of Learning and Technology at LTS, said the award recognises the cutting edge work that LTS has invested in over the last two years.

He said: 'Derek Robertson has changed the nature of the debate around computer games in the classroom. Our focus is now which games can be used to enhance learning whereas only a short time ago there was scepticism around the notion that computer games had any place in education.

'Derek truly deserves this honour for the innovative and dedicated work he has put in to establish Scotland as leading the world in terms of investing in technology in education.'

Ends

For further information please contact:

Lee-Ann Fullerton, Press Officer
T: 0141 282 5036 M: 07973512453
Learning and Teaching Scotland
The Optima, 58 Robertson Street, Glasgow, G2 8DU
www.LTScotland.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

1. LTS is the main organisation for the development and support of the curriculum in Scotland including exploring, promoting and developing new technology in education.

2.  Derek began his teaching career in Dundee in 1994. During his time in class he witnessed two boys, who were in his lower ability maths group, engaging with a complex problem-solving environment on the Super Nintendo console. This chance observation gave birth to Derek’s interest and passion for games-based learning.

He then spent two years as an ICT staff tutor in Dundee City Council before becoming a lecturer on the BEd(P) and PGDE(P) courses at the University of Dundee. This position allowed him to establish games-based learning as a topic of study for his teaching students and then to his successful application to lead games-based learning initiatives for Learning and Teaching Scotland via the Consolarium. Derek is now working in partnership with local authorities and teachers throughout Scotland to explore the impact of computer games in the classroom and is contributing to the growing body of work that is helping to change the discourse about the position and practical application of games-based learning in classrooms.

2. More information on games-based learning can be found at www.LTScotland.org.uk/ictineducation/gamesbasedlearning