Call for Papers: iGBL2014
Friday, June 6 2014, Cork Institute of Technology

The Cork Institute of Technology, in partnership with the SEGAN network, will host the 4th Irish Symposium on Game-Based-Learning (iGBL) as a one-day event in the Cork Institute of Technology on Friday 6th June 2014.

As the education landscape continues to change in the post-MOOC world, new forms of learning such as game-based learning and gamification have come to the fore, representing new ways of motivating, engaging and challenging students.

The use of games for learning is not a new concept, but advances in recent years in the ability to provide and create games has meant that the roles and effects of game-based learning are gaining recognition and the use of games for learning is slowly but steadily gaining mass in mainstream education.

The iGBL conference is an international conference designed to share insight and experience with regard to the educational potential of games. The conference has always aimed to be as inclusive as possible, bringing together teachers, students, researchers and industry representatives who share a common interest in using games for learning. The conference offers opportunities to present, discuss and network with other like-minded practitioners, as well as providing a great opportunity for those new to the area to learn more about the different development approaches and educational applications of games.

The iGBL2014 conference will present an energetic and compelling programmewith a focus on new developments in games and game-based learning, emerging approaches to game-based learning and how these can be implemented in formal education. The theme for iGBL2014 maintains the strands of interest that were established in previous conferences while focusing on the core theme of “The growth of GBL”

Holding fast to iGBL’s history of inclusiveness, contributions are welcome within a wide range of topics and areas, from representatives from both industry andacademia. Completed research projects, such as action research, case studiesand work-in-progress/posters are also welcome. Research-based submissions may include theoretical and/or empirical studies employing qualitative or quantitative methods. Proposals for workshops and interactive posters are also invited.

As part of the programme, CIT’s department of Media Communications and Department of Online Delivery, in association with the SEGAN (Serious Games Network) EU-funded project (http://seriousgamesnet.eu) will also be hosting a summer school during the four days leading up to the conference (i.e., 2nd - 5th June 2014 inclusive). This summer school will be focused on teaching second level students how to design and develop educational games. The students will present their ideas during a poster session at the conference.

Website: http://igblconference.wordpress.com/call-for-papers/

Conference Themes:
The IGBL 2014 sessions will be divided into two themes, Pedagogy, Educational and Social issues and Technology and Game Development. Please see the conference website for a list of possible topics.

Important Dates:

Abstract Submissions: 04 April 2014
Presentation Submissions: 04 April 2014
Poster/Demo Submissions: 04 April 2014
Author Notifications: 28 April 2014
Final Submissions: 9 May 2014
Conference: Friday 6 June 2014


Submission types:
Prospective authors are invited to submit a proposal for one of the following four categories:

Presentations (20 minutes, 5 minutes questions) - Presentations should be no more than 15-20 minutes in length with 5-10 minutes for questions. These may be present research studies on a relevant theme, work-in-progress, or case studies of GBL in action.
Pecha Kucha (20 images, 20 seconds) - A PechaKucha 20×20 is a simple presentation format where you show 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically and you talk along to the images. See www.pechakucha.org. This format is particlarly useful for those interested in sharing work-in-progress and getting feedback on their work/ideas-to-date.
Posters - Posters are a useful way of sharing information visually, such as research findings or innovative case studies of GBL in action. Submissions are invited for both traditional and electronic posters (for example using PowerPoint or Prezi). We ask that you submit a 300-500 word abstract describing your poster/electronic poster.
Workshops (0.5 – 1 hour) - Workshops involve active participation and discussion with the focus on participants developing skills and/or practical ideas forimplementing games/gamification in their own settings. Workshops may be computer-based (in a laboratory environment) or may be classroom-based. However ALL workshops must include a significant practical element, with participation among attendees. When writing your abstract, please give indicative timings to outline the structure of your workshop.


Instructions for Authors:
Authors are required to submit a 200-500 word abstract by 21st March2014. Submissions must be made via the online form. Please ensure that all required fields are completed.

Abstracts must include the proposed title for the submission, the full names and affiliations of all authors, and the contact details of at least one author. In the case of multiple authors, please specify the author(s) who will be the presenting at the symposium.

All submissions will be peer-reviewed through a double blind process. This review process will take approximately four weeks and notifications will be sent to authors by 28 April 2014. After the presenting author has booked their place at the symposium, the presentation will be fully accepted for inclusion in the programme and book of abstracts.

Venue:
iGBL 2014 will be hosted by the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), in partnership with the SEGAN network. The conference will take place in the Berkeley Centre at the Bishopstown campus in Cork.

The SEGAN Network:

The SEGAN Serious Games Network is an EU-funded project aiming to promote the use of Serious Games for learning. SEGAN’s main objectives are to create a consortium to exchange ideas and experiences related to Serious Games and to increase the visibility and awareness of the benefits and impacts of Serious Games for learning.

Another main objective of the project is to organise an annual conference to promote and enhance the use and development of Serious Games in Europe. These conferences gather together experts and practitioners of Serious Games to discuss and disseminate these ideas and experiences. For further information about the SEGAN network, visit the community at http://seriousgamesnet.eu/.

Registration Fee:

Regular registration fees: €50
Students’ registration fees: €25 (you will be asked for your student ID at registration)


The registration fee covers entry to iGBL2014, a conference pack, light refreshments and a light lunch. The fee does not include the cost of accommodation or evening meals. If you require more information on booking accommodation, please see the conference website.