Simulation and Serious Games for Education

Dr Yiyu Cai is Associate Professor with The College of Engineering, and The Institute for Media Innovation, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He received multi-disciplinary trainings in Mathematics, Computer Graphics, and Mechanical Engineering. In NTU, he teaches Computer Graphics, Virtual Reality, Visualization, Computer-aided Design and Manufacturing, Computational Biology, etc. Dr Cai has over 20 year research experience developing 3D and simulation technology for applications in education, medicine and engineering. His research has been supported by both public and private sectors. He heads NTU's Computer-aided Engineering Labs and the Strategic Research Program of Virtual Reality and Soft Computing. He has published near 200 papers in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences. He also has edited 7 books and journal special issues. He is associate editor with the journal Simulation and Gaming, and sits on editorial boards of several international journals. Part of his innovative and interdisciplinary research was being exhibited in Singapore Art Museum, Singapore Science Centre, and China National Science and Technology Museum. Dr Cai has co-organized about 15 international or regional conferences, and is keynote speakers or invited speakers at numerous international conferences. He has co-invented 6 patents granted or pending approval. He was former co-President of the International Simulation and Gaming Association.

Dr Goei Sui Lin is a professor with the Windesheim University of Applied Sciences (Zwolle, The Netherlands) and an assistant professor and principal investigator with the VU University Amsterdam (The Netherlands). She was a visiting professor at National Institute of Education of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore from 2011-2013. She received multidisciplinary trainings in Pedagogics, Educational and Instructional Psychology, Teacher Training, Child Psychology, and Special Needs. At VU University and Windesheim University, she heads a team of researchers and teacher trainers specialising in professionalising teachers in designing learning environments for students with (special) educational and pedagogical needs. In designing these learning environments, IT plays a special role as assistive technology. Dr. Goei is a well-known Dutch specialist in the field teacher training and special educational needs. Special focus is placed on how to validate research results via collaborative design research both by researchers as well as practitioners.

Dr Wim Trooster is currently working as a Senior Lecturer/Researcher on e-learning at Windesheim University, The Netherlands. He develops university policy and manages projects on IT for Education. He also manages national community for professionals working on Serious Gaming, Virtual Worlds & Simulation for Education with near 1000 members from higher learning institutions, government and business sectors. Prior to his current job, he was the manager of the Speech & Language Therapy Department at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen where he developed a big interest in the application of IT for Education. His research interest is mainly in Virtual Worlds & Serious Gaming for Education. He has a Master of Science in Biology and a PhD in Medical Sciences (Neurology).

This book introduces state-of-the-art research on simulation and serious games for education. The major part of this book is based on selected work presented at the 2014 Asia-Europe Symposium on Simulation and Serious Games held in Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands (Oct 1-2, 2014).
It covers three major domains of education applications that use simulation and serious games: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Special Needs Education and Humanity and Social Science Education.
Researchers and developers in simulation and serious games for education benefit from this book, and it also offers educators and professionals involved in training insights into the possible applications of simulation and serious games in various areas.

Presents a collection of extended papers from the 2014 Asia-Europe Symposium on simulation and serious games

Virtual Pink Dolphins Project: An International Effort for Children with Autism in Special Needs Education.- A Germ for Young European Scientists: Drawing-Based Modeling.- Virtual Reality Enabled Intravascular Catheterization Simulation.- Simulation-enabled Vocational Training for Heavy Crane Operations.- Formative evaluation of a mathematics game for out-of-school children in Sudan.- Empowering Vocational Math Teachers Using Digital Learning Materials With Workplace Assignments.- The Odyssey Game.- Social Development for Children with Autism using Kinect Gesture Games: A Case Study in Suzhou Industrial Park Renai School.- The  Effectiveness of the Game LINGO Online: A Serious Game for English Pronunciation.- Looking into eyes: a gaze tracking system for children with autism spectrum disorders.