Quest2Teach is a series of game-infused curricula and social-professional network designed specifically for teacher education to help bridge between educational theory and its application into the field. Pre-service teachers (university students) and in-service teachers evolve their professional identity in a variety of narrative-based 3D role-playing scenarios, each with a particular theoretical focus, and embedded within a larger experience-based curricula and professional network.
In these immersive worlds, learners create their professional avatar, play out roles, solve authentic problems, fail safely, and see the impact of their individual decisions and trajectories, while gaining experience and fluency in these theories-in-action.
Game meters and other in-game analytics are pulled into their real-world network homepage, reflecting their growth over time and semesters. The network utilizes badges to validate and extend teachers’ digital experiences into their real lives, and unlock new learning trajectories, within a network of supportive colleagues. Having demonstrated expertise in the games, players earn the ability to endorse their colleagues in the network for their meaningful contributions. In this way, game achievements are translated into a social currency that is used to applaud and encourage other players as they reflect, craft, and evolve their impact stories in the real world.
About Sasha A. Barab PhD
Sasha Barab is a Professor in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University, where he co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Games and Impact.
Dr. Barab is an internationally recognized Learning Scientist who holds the Pinnacle West Chair of Education, and who has researched, designed, and published extensively on the challenges and opportunities of using games for impact.
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