Mark Ollila, the new director of the Endless Games and Learning Lab at Arizona State University, is a seasoned executive with a career spanning over two decades in various industries such as computer gaming, nanotechnology, internet, software, and media technology. With a background in commercializing research and innovation in the media and entertainment fields, Ollila brings a wealth of experience to his new role in academia.
Ollila’s appointment as the director of the Endless Lab comes at a time when gaming and education are intersecting in new and exciting ways. In a public conversation with ASU President Michael Crow at the ASU+GSV Summit, Ollila discussed the impact of gaming on learning and how everyone, including President Crow, is a gamer at heart. Ollila even joked that President Crow would be a perfect character in ‚Stranger Things,‘ playing Dungeons & Dragons with the kids.
The creation of the Endless Games and Learning Lab marks a new era in education, merging cutting-edge technology, engaging game environments, and high-intensity learning experiences. The lab, housed within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at ASU’s Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in Mesa, Arizona, aims to revolutionize education by harnessing the power of games to create superior learners.
Ollila’s vision for the Endless Lab goes beyond just playing games; it’s about helping people become better learners. Drawing inspiration from John Dewey’s philosophy that education should be based on a learner’s everyday experiences, Ollila believes that games can be a powerful medium for learning. By engaging in a wide variety of skill sets through games, from arts and music to engineering and programming, players can develop valuable skills that are applicable to real-world scenarios.
One of the key goals of the Endless Lab is to explore how gaming experiences can be translated into academic credits. Ollila envisions a future where playing games like „SimCity“ or „Civilization“ could earn students credits towards their degree. By bridging the gap between gaming and education, the Endless Lab aims to make learning more engaging and accessible to all individuals.
Furthermore, Ollila sees the Endless Lab as a catalyst for ASU’s pursuit of Realm 5 learning – massively distributed, universally accessible, high-intensity, and personalized learning solutions for all people. With a strong belief in the power of education to solve the world’s problems, Ollila is committed to ensuring that the most talented minds have access to quality education, regardless of their background or financial means.
In conclusion, Mark Ollila’s appointment as the director of the Endless Games and Learning Lab at ASU represents a significant step towards revolutionizing education through gaming. With his extensive experience in the media and entertainment industries, Ollila is well-equipped to lead the lab in creating innovative learning experiences that will shape the future of education.