October 12, 2003
Terms to Game
On nettime Mark Stahlman writes:
As the fellow who “coined” the term NEW MEDIA (circa 1990, in preparation for the America Online IPO, whereupon Steve Case awarded me this email address), I have often been asked — So what the HECK is (er, are) New Media, anyway?
I couldn’t help but answer:
“Simulations and games, in many forms and for many subjects, are among the most recent innovations in instructional technique. Some are hardly ‘new media,’ however, because they are as simple and familiar as card or board games.” (p.93)
– James A. Robinson, “Simulation and Games.” In _The New Media and Education_, edited by Peter H. Rossi and Bruce J. Biddle. Aldine Publishing, Chicago, 1966.
http://www.getcited.org/pub/101220511
Then I realized that GTxA folks might be interested in the rest of this chapter’s introductory paragraph:
Simulations and games, in many forms and for many subjects, are among the most recent innovations in instructional technique. Some are hardly ‘new media,’ however, because they are as simple and familiar as card or board games. Others involve technical equipment for use in transmitting facts and principles about their subjects of study. This chapter begins with a definition of simulation and considers ways in which simulations differ from conventional role-playing games. Then it reviews the purposes and forms of games and simulations, principally in the social sciences. Following this description of current uses, it summarizes evidence appraising the impact of these new techniques as educational devices. Finally, it offers several recommendations for research and development.
All from 1966.