08. idea name; 50 characters----
LILA
09. Education
10. one sentence best describes your idea; 150 characters---
A widget that lets you choose words you want to learn more about, which supply games that
improve vocabulary by targeting your verbal sweet spot. (145)
11. describe your idea in more depth; 300 words---
While reading online you hover over a word you want to know more about, click and you can get a Dictionary, Thesaurus, Wikipedia, or a game. A semantic analysis engine, much like Google uses to crawl the web, can assess the cognitive level of your word choices (or any set of words, web page, et al) to identify words that are in your optimal learning range in your areas of interest. (J. McVicker Hunt, Regime of Competence, Ontologies) These words are supplied to word games that improve your vocabulary, measured by increase over time playing the game. From then on, your learning history would create a dynamic custom designed curriculum based on your input. The cognitive science lineage here is Piaget through Brian Sutton-Smith and Seymour Papert. Learners would be able to play the games developed for almost any platform, including solo play to complex Alternate Reality Games ranging from a free advertising to deluxe subscription business model.
Kind of a YouTube for gaming with a coefficient of learning(R). As this module is evolving, we can apply the same concept to other cognitive faculties as per multiple intelligence theories like J.P. Guilford's Structure of Intellect. SOI Systems is a company with the capabilities to evaluate ~100 unique abilities. As other modules emerge, we could begin to have an immersive mmorpg, or an ARG where many tasks have an 'R' for various cognitive faculties.
LILA enables an intersection among cognitive faculties and Ontologies. For K-12, this supports a more efficient, broader and more compelling educational experience. For corporate training, an ability to focus on problems by creating sims that are much more like an ARG, with accountability.
Maybe this is a natural app for the coming Semantic Web (Tim Berners-Lee) 291
12. what problem or issue does your idea address; 150 words---
LILA solves structural inefficiencies in the present one to many model of learning. USA spends $1.1 Trillion each year, half for K-12. Schools test to measure learning, for which ~1/2 the factor loading is verbal memory. LILA offers an unprecedented opportunity to increase the effectiveness and enjoyment of learning, by leveraging LILA's social and interactive potential for learning engagement.
Every single human problem, issue, condition, situation is informed by learning. What more important problem could be addressed? And the more people everywhere who have better learning, the better.
This game concept can help every institution of learning expand to focus on more cognitive faculties than has ever been practical. And the ARG components (Jane McGonigal) can make any activity, in virtual or physical space, a learning game. LILA could actually be used to solve business problems, such as Luis Van Ahn's espgame! 149
13.
if idea becomes a reality, who would benefit the most and how; 150
words---
Anyone worldwide who wants to learn words, the most significant market being women over 30.
As modules for cognitive faculties other than verbal memory come on line, every cognitive level and type could be met at the level of match or regime of competence, engaging a person's faculties at each developmental level.
Benefit accrues in inverse proportion to present day access to quality learning, access by the 1B poorest females could potentially have the greatest impact on poverty, since educating girls seems to be the single most important thing in breaking the cycle of poverty. Here, Negroponte's OLPC is a great platform.
The ultimate beneficiary is humanity. As learning rates accelerate, our ability to solve problems shifts from the fundamental to the more aesthetic. Arthur C. Clarke's 'Childhood's End' comes to mind.
The video shows that Apple users would be thrilled! (141)
14.
what are initial steps required to get this idea off the ground; 150
words---
LILA needs programming assistance to develop a working
demo, perhaps using simple word prevalence lists at first. More serious development is required to develop an algorithmic
engine that assesses and matches words with learners
regime of competence, and mark web site content with verbal ratings. This tests the fundamental concept.
Planning and fostering a social networking environment that encourages game development, by bringing in learning game leaders such as James Paul Gee, Marc Prensky (Digital Game-Based Learning) and Jane McGonigal would be great.
Desktop, mobile and game platforms all need consideration. This is where Google's open spectrum initiative really makes sense, since LILA could be a 'killer app' for Android. Also, this is perfect for the OLPC. After this, we can begin to expand to other cognitive faculties and one by one create a comprehensive school with the broadest possible access to the all of human knowledge. 149
15. describe the optimal outcome should idea
be selected and successfully implemented. how would you measure it. 150
words---
Faster better cheaper learning! Most of all, funner! And fun, measured by spikes in affect (polygraph) is the most important measurable indication of learning. Increased motivation to learn, increased learning rates, expanded market for learners, worldwide accessibility to this learning technology. Success will be established when LILA becomes the educational program of choice, measured by vocabulary improvement per unit measure of
time required by the learner to achieve. This would also be the method
to rate user generated games. Later, other cognitive faculties will come on line as LILA expands its scope.
LILA will have a number of very good competitors in this market. A whole economy springs up to meet the need for the highest quality learning games
With ~$5T spent worldwide every year, LILA, by becoming the educational channel of choice could be the first trillion dollar enterprise. 140