Interview with Creator of the Learning Game "In Search of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine"

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Introduction

When designing a learning game, people are often well intentioned but quickly go off the rails. The game is supposed to be about collaboration but it ends up being a competitive game. Or the game is supposed to teach financial ethics but, instead, it provides insights into how to cheat the system.

Learning Game Design

Designing a learning game is hard work, don't let anyone tell you differently and the trick that I've found is to playtest, playtest and playtest. Testing over 30 years might be excessive but...the benefit of a popular, time honored game is that it has stood the test of time.

One game that has stood up to the crucible of time is one created by Dr. Scott J Simmerman who created one of the most famous learning games that I know of for companies and organizations. A game that has been around since 1993 called "The Search for The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine". It has been used in over 49 countries.

It has always been a famous learning game in my book and the books of many others.

The game has been around for decades and grew out of the experience Dr. Simmerman had with other learning games. Few people who claim to be game-based learning or gamification experts have the experience or hit game behind them that Dr. Simmerman has.

Here's my exclusive interview with the insightful and energetic Dr. Simmerman as he talks about his game "The Search for the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine" in the video below.

Bio

Karl Kapp is a professor at Commonwealth?University (formerly Bloomsburg University). He spends is academic and consulting time helping individuals and organizations effectively implement game-based learning and gamification. He literally wrote the book on the "Gamification of Learning." He works internationally helping organizations accelerate expertise using an evidence-based approach.

Karl teaches a graduate courses on game-based learning, gamification, and game-thinking. He is passionate about helping others and thus is the co-founder of the L&D Mentor Academy , a members only group that explores the technology, business acumen and concepts required to take L&D professional's careers to the next level. Apply to Join today.

Karl is writing his 9th or 10th book (depending on how you count) titled "Action-First Learning" which will be available in 2025. Look for it at the ATD bookstore next year. In the meantime, let me know if you might like an advanced copy in exchange for some co-marketing efforts.