Learning and Video Games

Presented By: Maude Bonenfant

Summary:
In the context of this masterclass, participants will be introduced to certain concepts specific to game studies in order to better understand the contributions of video games to learning in contexts outside of school. Based on various research conducted in the field, concrete examples of entertainment video games will be presented to illustrate different gains for players. Various types of players (children, neurodivergent individuals, etc.) will also be distinguished to specify the possible gains with video games, as well as the limitations. This presentation will thus enable participants to understand the benefits of entertainment video games for learning, as well as the pitfalls and even possible negative effects of certain game mechanics or features on certain types of players.

Biography:

Maude Bonenfant is a full professor in the Department of Social and Public Communication at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) and holds a doctorate in semiotic studies. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Games, Technologies and Society, is co-director of the Laboratoire de recherche en médias socionumériques et ludification, and is director of the Homo Ludens research group on games and communication. Her research focuses on the study of play, the social dimensions of communication technologies, online communities, socionumeric networks, massive data and artificial intelligence.