Image from (Kris Alexander, 2024) at the Red Bull Gaming Hub launch.

For this assignment, I focused on two significant parts of my life: education and video games. Thankfully, I found someone who has pushed the idea of video games for learning. Dr. Kris Alexander has focused his research on learning and is working on showcasing how it can happen meaningfully to support student learning.

Having grown up playing video games, Alexander knew from his own experiences how they helped him to focus and build specific skills. This enabled him to choose between attending Toronto Metropolitan University for his BA and MA before moving on to Concordia University for his PhD. He maintained his focus on computer science and video game development and design. (Alexander, n.d.) Alexander teaches courses on video game design, virtual production, and Esports broadcasting at Toronto Metropolitan University. (Kris Alexander, 2024) While teaching, Alexander worked with Red Bull to create the Red Bull Gaming Hub, a broadcast classroom with a training facility in Toronto. (Kris Alexander, 2024) Although he has kept busy, he has maintained a healthy YouTube channel called Video Game Prof, where he shares course information, interviews, and more.

By proving the connections between education and video games, Alexander has had the opportunity to work with companies like Red Bull, Epic Games, Wisecrack, Team Liquid, and Esports Travel Summit (Kris Alexander, 2024). These projects have allowed him to reach a wider audience and give him the space to showcase what video games can do to support and enhance education.

References
Alexander, D. K. (n.d.). Video Game Design and Interactivity: The Semiotics of Multimedia in Instructional Design. Www.academia.edu. https://www.academia.edu/29535787/Video_Game_Design_and_Interactivity_The_Semiotics_of_Multimedia_in_Instructional_Design

Alexander, K. (2023). How video games can level up the way you learn. Ted.com; TED Talks. https://www.ted.com/talks/kris_alexander_how_video_games_can_level_up_the_way_you_learn?vwo=featured&subtitle=en

Alexander, K. (n.d.). Kris Alexander | Speaker | TED. Www.ted.com. https://www.ted.com/speakers/kris_alexander

Dr. Kris Alexander – Video Games. (n.d.). Drkrisalexander.com. https://drkrisalexander.com/

Kris Alexander. (2024). Toronto Metropolitan University. https://www.torontomu.ca/the-catalyst/programs-and-services/researcher-residency/residents/kris-alexander/

Video Games Prof. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved September 15, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX2yKgLoLykY0pZf7czBqQ