Chris Bennett, Analog Minds: Learning Through Designing Tabletop Games. When educators think of using games in learning environments, they typically assume digital games. But tabletop games have been used to teach all sorts of concepts including strategy, scenarios, role playing, emotional intelligence for centuries. By removing the constraints of technology, students can get closer to the mechanics of the game and acquire a more profound and nuanced understanding of the subject matter. This presentation will review recent work using tabletop games for education, and deconstruct some of the techniques used for learning.

Chris Bennett is an award-winning game designer and Stanford lecturer who has combined creative ideas with digital engagement to reach millions of players with his credited games. Chris studies and practices ways to apply game design thinking to improving lives in the real world. Chris has over 19 years of experience in the entertainment software industry and was instrumental in expanding hit brands like Diner Dash, which is one of the top-selling downloadable games of all time with over 1 billion downloads. Chris has talked about games and game design for major media outlets, including NBC TV, NPR, Forbes.com and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is called on by organizations such as Stanford and USAID for his game design expertise.