Brian Nelson

Biography

Photo of Brian Nelson

Brian C. Nelson is an assistant professor of educational technology in the Fulton Institute and Graduate School of Education at Arizona State University. Dr. Nelson’s research focuses on the theory, design, and implementation of computer-based learning environments, focusing on immersive games. An instructional designer and learning theorist, he has published and presented extensively on the viability of educational virtual environments for situated inquiry learning and assessment. Dr. Nelson’s recent publications have addressed issues related to the design and evaluation of educational games, with a focus on situated cognition and socio-constructivist based design. Recent articles and chapters include, Managing cognitive load in educational multi-user virtual environments, Exploring embedded guidance and self-efficacy in educational multi-user virtual environments, and Exploring the use of individualized, reflective guidance in an educational multi-user virtual environment.

Dr. Nelson was the Project Designer on the River City project through two NSF-funded studies, and is a Co-Principal Investigator on the NSF-funded SAVE Science study. He is also co-PI on two MacArthur Foundation grants: “21 st Century Assessment,” investigating new models for assessment in digital media-based learning environments, and “Our Courts,” creating and assessing an immersive game to promote civic engagement. Nelson is also co-PI on the NSF study “Scaffolding Understanding through Redesigning Games for Education (SURGE)”, investigating the use of an online game to teach physics. Dr. Nelson received his doctorate from Harvard University in 2005.

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