What Is EGRIS?
A non-profit
R&D corporation that endeavors to enhance science and mathematics curricula
through the use of interactive video games, simulations, and
robotics.
The Educational Game Research Institute (EGRIS)
is a new
non-profit institution that designs and develops interactive video games,
simulations, and robotics projects for curriculum enhancement with a special
focus on the sciences and mathematics. Through student-faculty
collaboration at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) and other
educational institutions curriculum topics are selected and befitting games,
simulations, and robotics are designed, developed, and tested. The
research and/or outcome of the selection process and results are made available
through conferences and the corporate web site, and the games, simulations, and
robotics projects are disseminated with curriculum usage recommendations and
support to all interested educational organizations.
Key Objectives Include:
· increased student motivation
· simplification of learning;
especially concepts in mathematics and the sciences
· increase in the number of students in technical
majors
· increased consistency in math and science
curriculums
· training ground for students interested in the video game
industry, that are part of CSUCI's
multidisciplinary video game minor.
EGRIS is the result of a cooperative, multidiscipline,
faculty-corporate alliance at CSUCI - a member of the 400,000-student California
State University system.
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
The primary objectives of the corporation are:
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To research and design interactive educational video games,
simulations, and robotics projects primarily for the sciences and
mathematics, to be used in combination with existing teaching
techniques.
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· |
To enhance and simplify the learning process for all
students.
|
· |
To better motivate and increase interest in both mathematics
and science curricula.
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· |
To also research, design, and develop interactive video
games for the aging, resulting in, among other things, entertaining mental
(and in some cases, physical) exercises, social interaction, and another
way of keeping in touch with distant family and friends.
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· |
To develop the games and robotics projects using university
students enrolled in CSUCI’s multi-discipline gaming minor or with
equivalent experience and motivation in collaboration with faculty and
industry experts, offer the students practical experience while providing
a desperately needed service to the educational community.
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· |
To test and refine these games and projects in the classroom
at CSUCI and other interested secondary and higher educational
institutions.
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· |
To disseminate the research through conferences, educational
publications, and the corporate web site.
|
· |
To distribute the games and projects with curriculum usage
recommendations and support to all interested educational
institutions.
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· |
To increase the number and success of graduating students in
technical majors; and to assist in increasing the quality and consistency
of math and science curriculums, and the competency in mathematics and
science for all students. |