IBM Helps Universities to Innov8

Here’s a nice article by Julie Moran Alterio from Gannett, appearing in the Asbury Park Press (“From the Jersey Shore to You”) on IBM’s new business leadership skills game, Innov8. Taking a page from the military’s America’s Army game, IBM hopes to instill desired skill sets in those “fuzzy” areas that games are so good at teaching, such as leadership, teamwork, social skills, and real world problem solving.

Innov8 came about through IBM’s corporate case challenge, which involves B-school teams from two universities competing with one another to provide a solution to a business problem. IBM VP Sandy Carter noted that 40 of the 44 teams from Duke and U. North Carolina suggested using a videogame to help people develop needed skill sets for business acumen. Since January, Carter has shepherded development of Innov8, using some of the students from the case challenge to help design the game. Pilot studies were completed earlier this year and the game is now ready for prime time, to be offered free to 2000 universities worldwide.

Gameplay should be familiar to World of Warcraft players. It’s a 3-D virtual interactive environment (VIE) with human avatars. Players assume a female avatar tasked with solving various business-scenario dilemmas. NPCs provide helpful dialogue.

Jim Lawler, an information systems associate professor over at Pace University, is given prominent mention. He worried game dynamics would be difficult to master, thus detracting from lessons. However, he was won over after quickly mastering the game. His key quote: “Enrollment is lower in computer science and information systems nationally. This is what schools have to do, integrate these kind of games and tools.”

David Rejeski is also mentioned prominently in the article:

More corporations and the U.S. government are starting to see the potential of games to teach serious subjects, said David Rejeski, director of the Serious Games Initiative at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C.

“The thing about games that’s really nice is you can fail softly,” Rejeski said.

The Apply Group, a high-tech consulting firm, predicts that one in five of the Global Fortune 500 will adopt gaming for learning by 2012.

My take: IBM has long been at the forefront of top companies that “get it” with gaming and Web 2.0 technologies. For instance, the company has obtained considerable virtual real estate in Second Life and holds online meetings there with avatars showing up from personnel spread across the globe. It is heartening to see this effort to help train business students in appropriate skill sets. Offering the game to universities free of charge is a good way of helping B-schools graduate students with the knowledge and skills needed by IBM and other big corporations.

References:
Alterio, J. M. (2007, November 26). New video game teaches students business and computer skills. Asbury Park Press. [Online.] Retrieved November 28, 2007 from: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20071126/BUSINESS/711260306/1003