Tom Crawford

BIOGRAPHY

Tom Crawford is the Director of e-Learning with Root Learning Inc., and is responsible for the design, programming, testing, research, and development of e-Learning modules, simulations, and games.   His experience has focused on technology, change management, and strategy throughout a broad range of industries such as healthcare, marketing, technology, and retail. Tom has worked with a wide variety of technology hardware and software platforms including the full Microsoft product line, Unix, HP, and Compaq/Digital in legacy, intranet, Internet, and extranet environments. He received his Bachelors of Science in Management from GMI Engineering & Management Institute (now known as Kettering University) in 1992.   In April of 2000, he received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

ABSTRACT

Romulus and Remus or Castor and Pollux: A Discourse on the Twinned Industries of Learning and Gaming
Symposium, Thursday (9:00 - 10:30) in Hall of Ideas F

This symposium will focus on a facilitating a discussion of how two industries, one focused on learning and training and one focused on game development - can begin to establish both cognitive and corporate bridges and the roles that academics and researchers who have served both these markets can again serve as translators and interlocutors. It will feature speakers with deep background in both camps who have all begun traversing this gap in one way or another. Learn from their mistakes and success and help plot future efforts.

ABSTRACT

Unholy Union: Innovation by Mixing Unnatural Things
Workshop, Friday (1:30 - 3:00) in Hall of Ideas E

Whether we're educators, business leaders, or community leaders, we've got a lot to learn about engaging people. Non-educational media such as movies, games, and comics have done a better job than we have in creating engaging, effective, and lasting learning experiences for the same audiences we serve. In this 45-minute Interactive Workshop, we'll take a look at some of the things they are doing and how they are doing it. We'll then take a look at how we can assimilate these ideas into our own tools and techniques. During the session, we'll play several games on the Xbox, examine some DVD extras, look at a few comics, and then compare and contrast them all to the e-Learning market today.

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