André Thomas: Game-Based Learning

The Education Innovators Podcast is a weekly conversation between Eric Byron and guests from all aspects of education around the world. We look for innovative ideas and practical examples of things happening in schools and learning environments that are of interest to teachers, corporate trainers, school administrators, EdTech providers, students, parents, and anyone else interested in education.

André Thomas' passion for game-based learning resonates inside and outside of the classroom. A graduate of LCAD MFA in Game Design Andre is currently pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. André founded and serves as the director of the LIVE Lab in the School of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts at Texas A&M University, where he also teaches game design, game development and interactive graphics techniques. In 2014, he founded Triseum, where he serves as CEO and leads the creation of its award-winning educational video games. André has been named one of the top 100 EdTech influencers. He is an EdTech Leadership award winner, former National Academy of Sciences board member, National Arts Education Association lead instructor, and Chillennium Game Jam chair. André also has been invited to speak at numerous education and technology events both in the U.S. and abroad, including SXSW, TEDx, ASU-GSV, BETT, Chinese Academy of Fine Arts, Austrian Ministry of Education and European Schoolnet. His game-based learning insights and ideas are featured in The Conversation, the Huffington Post, Austin Business Journal, eCampus News and Learning Solutions Magazine, to name a few.

With more than 25 years in CGI production, André has worked around the world on legendary video games, live action feature films and memorable commercials. Previously he was Head of Graphics for EA Sports Football games (including NCAA, Head Coach, NFL Tour and Madden NFL, the longest running and most successful sports franchise in games industry). He also created graphics for such notable films as Men in Black, Con Air, Independence Day, Valiant, Ant Bully and Tomorrow Never Dies.

 

In this episode, André shares his story of transitioning from industry to education and how their first game, which teaches Art History, came into being.

 

Links:

 

ARTé: Mecenas is the first game in the ARTé suite, which supports student achievement in Art History and Art Appreciation courses. By playing a Medici banker during the Italian Renaissance, students also learn financial literacy and decision making skills that will last a lifetime.

 

https://triseum.com/arte-mecenas/#introvideo

 

Variant: Limits

PRE-CALCULUS & CALCULUS ADVENTURE GAME

Explore the vibrant 3D world of Variant: Limits as Equa uncovers the secrets of the mysterious Manthan civilization. Master continuity, functions, limits, and asymptotes to unlock the power of the Manthan technology and save the planet from destruction.

 

https://triseum.com/variant-limits/#variantvideo

 

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This podcast is produced entirely by Eric Byron.

You can contact Eric at eric@edinnovationpod.com