You know the old adage: new year, new game-based learning conferences to attend! Okay, so maybe we slightly modified the original saying, but we wouldn’t be who we are today if we weren’t continuously 💪pumped💪 about the educational possibilities of video games! If you too can’t stop daydreaming about what a new year will bring to the edtech industry, we have your 2023 itinerary right here. Here’s a list of some of the top game-based learning conferences to attend this year!
via Giphy
Before we get into the conferences, make this year the year you keep up with the latest game-based learning news and thought leadership by following us on Twitter and Facebook.
Now, here are the GBL conferences on our radar. Make sure to check out the videos accompanying some of these conferences for a peek into 2023 plans or a look back at the 2022 event!
When: January 23-26
Where: New Orleans, LA
What it’s about: Want to know what the future of education holds? Why not attend the Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), where industry experts present on the exciting and ever-changing intersection of technology and education? There’s so much to discover at the FETC, especially for education technology professionals looking to build their careers and keep up with the innovations in the edtech industry.
When: June 25-28, 2023
Where: Philadelphia, PA
What it’s about: Don’t worry, no acronym will remain unexplained in this list of conferences! ISTELive 23 gets its name from the nonprofit organization The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). The conference brings together education leaders, librarians, teachers, media specialists, coaches, and more. This is the place to find other like-minded individuals looking to innovate and enhance education through technology.
When: July 18-20, 2023
Where: New York City, NY
What it’s about: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Games for Change (G4C) Festival! For two decades, this conference has brought together anyone interested in the power of games beyond entertainment. As the name of the conference suggests, G4C is all about games that disrupt the status quo and create positive change in the world. The organizers have also announced that “The XR for Change Summit will also return this year as a day-long event exploring the future of emerging technology and social good, including XR, the metaverse, AI, and other rapidly-growing virtual spaces that are expanding our potential for impact.”
via Play Make Learn
When: July 20-21, 2023
Where: Madison, WI
What it’s about: The Play Make Learn Conference takes place in Filament’s beloved home and headquarters – Madison, WI! This event is for anyone interested in making games, playing games, or making games more playful. This includes educators, researchers, game developers and designers, foundation leaders, policymakers, museum and library professionals, and education leaders. The conference surveys a wide array of topics around game-based learning, including STEAM education, games for impact, and more. Learn about all the newest educational games and GBL research at Play Make Learn!
When: TBA
Where: TBA
What it’s about: The Connected Learning Summit (CLS) is an event centered around emerging technology and impactful learning. Anyone who may be a researcher, educator, or developer is encouraged to attend, as sessions explore how to expand access to truly meaningful learning with cutting-edge technology. CLS’s mission is “to fuel a growing movement of innovators harnessing the power of emerging technology to expand access to participatory, playful, and creative learning.”
Image from Meaningful Play 2018, via MSU
When: TBA
Where: TBA
What it’s about: Meaningful Play is a conference hosted by the University of Michigan (MSU), and while the official date and location haven’t been announced for 2023 yet, the conference typically takes place on MSU’s East Lansing campus. This event is geared toward scholars and industry professionals, as it centers on research, theory, and best practices surrounding educational games and educational game design. The event includes a variety of opportunities such as peer-reviewed paper presentations, panel sessions, workshops, roundtable discussions, and game exhibitions!
Immerse Global Summit (formerly known as the VR/AR Global Summit)
When: TBA
Where: TBA
What it’s about: Last but certainly not least is the Immerse Global Summit! Like a handful of other events on this list, there’s no official date for the 2023 conference yet. That said, the Immerse Global Summit took place late last year, so we’re guessing it will be a little while before the hosts are ready for another! The conference is definitely one to look forward to, as it focuses specifically on XR innovation and how XR can create a positive impact in the workplace and beyond. Last year, the conference included speakers from tech-forward companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Sony, and more.
Better book those plane tickets or plan that road trip now. Or, better yet, perhaps one of these conferences is in your hometown! Safe travels and we hope you have a grand time learning about the power of game-based learning. Maybe we’ll see you around at some game-based learning conferences this year!
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