Gamification for Better Learning with Sandy Roskes of Legends of Learning

Macro Micro Michael Marco & Startups at the Edge (M4Edge)

Did you know that using video games as a teaching aid improves students’ engagement, helps them learn faster, boosts their test performance and stimulates their critical thinking? These are just some of the results of a study carried out by Vanderbilt University in partnership with Legends of Learning.

In this episode, Legends of Learning Co-founder Sandy Roskes explains why games can be a powerful learning tool in a school environment. Legends of Learning has developed a marketplace for learning games, a Netflix-style platform that leverages the creativity of an extensive network of game developers. Legends of Learning curates the content, ensures that the games are technically sound and cover the targeted content, but they don’t rate or judge the games—it’s the market, in this case the teachers and students, that determines a game’s success.

We discuss the business model, the specific challenges and rewards of dealing with the education sector—with quite a few unexpected insights, including a few reasons why new technologies like learning games could help inequality in learning and education opportunities. We debate whether using video games for teaching might have any adverse unintended consequences—Sandy does not think so, but Marco’s concerns linger and carry over into the post-game discussion with Michael, so stay tuned for that!

If you care about how we can improve the education system and give young generation a better chance, don’t miss this episode—enjoy!
PS - This episode is jam packed, as we also include the latest update from Ricky Buch in Ricky's Reports from the Edge.