Sealund’s Serious Games Blog

The Brandon Hall Innovations in Learning Conference in San Jose, California was different from previous conferences Sealund has been invited to because it was created to host an atmosphere for “live learning” to take place. With its “Head in the Clouds” theme and use of newer technologies for communication like Wiki, Twitter and Facebook, it was the perfect conference for Sealund to have the opportunity to present Serious Games.

 
(From Left) Phil Sealund, Barbara Sealund, Melonie Wood and Richard Dombrowski in the Immersive Learning Arcade

Sealund was also invited to exhibit in the Immersive Learning Arcade, which was an exclusive area reserved primarily for organizations who create Serious Games for training. As attendees circulated through the Immersive Learning Arcade, they were intrigued to meet Sealund and play Serious Games. Sealund was also asked to present in the Innovations Idol competition showcasing learning initiatives.

Melonie Wood (L) and Barbara Sealund (R) present a poem on Serious Games

Sealund was so well received in the Immersive Learning Arcade that the interest spilled over into the session “Preparing Corporate America for Serious Games,” presented by Barbara Sealund and co-presented with Amy Dreher, VP of Strategic Learning Initiatives at The Nielsen Company. The session was commanded standing room only as many attendees of the conference were eager to learn more about how to deploy Serious Games in their organization. It was apparent that there is an overwhelming need for innovative training.

Barbara Sealund (L) and Amy Dreher (R) present “Preparing Corporate America for Serious Games” There were various clients and friends in attendance at the Innovations in learning conference who Sealund’s associates had the pleasure of entertaining at dinner. Much time was spent discussing Serious Games and how they could support training initiatives within organizations. A celebration was also held for Amy Dreher, as she has recently been awarded the title of VP of Strategic Learning Initiatives with The Nielsen Company.

Clients and friends enjoyed eachothers company in celebration of Amy Dreher’s promotion at Nielsen

The need for Serious Games is spread throughout various organizations all over the United States. This conference truly exemplified that “Innovations in Learning” are in high demand throughout various organizations in the USA.

Virtual Learning Environments are the next big wave in the training sector, and Sealund was invited to showcase one of its newest Virtual Learning Environments, “Let’s Meet,” at the Training Industry Managed Learning Services Conference in Clearwater. The conference began with a networking event which allowed the attendees to meet Sealund’s associates and learn about Serious Games and Virtual Learning Environments. Many of Sealund’s clients and friends were also in attendance during the event.

Barbara Sealund and members of the A-Team enjoy the keynote dinner session with clients and colleagues

The conference included a wealth of presenters who spoke on deploying many types of training into Corporate America. Sealund concluded the first day of the event by presenting “Using Virtual Environments for Training” with Pat Smolen, Director of Knowledge Management at PSCU Financial Services. The presentation was given to rave reviews. The attendees were engaged as they were encouraged to get out of their seats and participate in Serious Games and Virtual Learning Environments.

Members of Sealund’s A-Team: Ashley Hervas, Richard Dombrowski and Melonie Wood

Sealund’s presentation on Virtual Learning Environments overflowed into Sealund’s booth in the expo hall. There was  an evident need for Virtual Learning Environments in organizations and the Managed Learning Services conference proved that organizations are up for the challenge.

Sealund was invited to participate in the Society for Applied Learning Technology’s (SALT) Interactive Technologies Conference and Expo on August 20-22. The SALT Conference is a premier venue for the presentation of cutting edge, state-of-the-art technologies for education and training systems, job performance improvement systems, and knowledge management systems. Many of the nation’s defense agencies and corporate and healthcare decision makers were in attendance. Another distinguished guest, Dr. Carlene Peterson, Project Manager for Multijurisdictional Counterdrug Taskforce Training at St. Petersburg College co-presented with Barbara Sealund on how to obtain buy-in for Serious Games.

Ashley Hervas leaps at the chance to see the capital

The expo began with a wave of attendees interested in Serious Games, waiting in line at the Sealund exhibit to learn about solutions for their organizations —many were interested in viewing Sealund’s Serious Games. Sealund’s presentation, “Preparing Corporate America for Serious Games,” commanded standing room only! The presentation was highly interactive, engaging and fun. Serious Games were the central theme of the presentation and many were played. Those who participated in the games won prizes, but only a few were crowned MVP (Most Valuable Player).  Hands shot up at the end and many questions were answered which spilled over into the expo immediately following.

Jack Butler, Senior Instructional Designer and a consultant for Wal-Mart, facilitated a very intriguing session Sealund had the opportunity to attend. The session, entitled “The Brains behind Our Work,” examined how thorough and up-to-date audience knowledge of the brain is through the use of quizzes.

Sealund entertains clients and friends at dinner in Georgetown

Sealund also had the opportunity to interact with clients throughout the conference. Sealund celebrated Carlene Peterson’s birthday with a delicious chocolate cake.  Carlene was thoroughly surprised and elated that Sealund would celebrate her birthday at the conference.  Sealund entertained other clients and friends like The Pentagon, US Bank, Northrop Grumman and Saudi Arabian Oil Company.

Barbara Sealund and Nintendo DS with Brain Age winner Sunshine Holm

Barbara Sealund and IPOD Touch winner Emmanuel Fournier

The final day at SALT was exhilarating as Sealund’s exhibit was full of interested professionals up to the closing! In addition, Sealund has been invited back to participate at the New Learning Technologies Conference in 2009!

Serious Games = Serious Learning!™

For more information about Sealund’s Serious Games, please visit our website at www.sealund.com.