Amy Liu

The CMLTD Games Research Lab at the Columbia University Teachers College explores the different factors of games that have implications for education, such as human cognition and collaboration. Based on these insights, the lab intends to advance the understanding of how games can be used to enhance learning, encompassing a broad variety of applications. Through developing, playtesting, and studying a diverse variety of both digital and physical games, the lab researches “serious/persuasive games”, how games can be made more effective, how and why games can be used for education, and the impacts that certain aspects of games can have on players. Along with that, most projects are designed with current issues in mind, such as games that aim to educate children on climate change, or games meant to reduce stereotypes against specific groups of people. The lab’s research builds on previous scientific work that has already proven games to be an effective tool for education to further understand how games can be used for teaching. Research is still ongoing, and researchers are still looking for new ways to utilize and improve games. Currently, a game prototype is being developed to explore micro-lending, allowing players to take on the role of an aspiring entrepreneur and learn how microlending can be used to change lives. Another game has been developed to teach about climate change, with players taking on the roles of leaders to address the issue of global warming. In summary, the lab hopes to research and develop games that can be used in the future for education, and for influencing the mindsets and behaviors of players to push towards positive change.