CS LEARNING SOLUTIONS DEBUTS CSG, THE FIRST GAME-BASED PROGRAM FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION IN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

AIA and CES providers express enthusiasm for CSG as “a new professional standard”

ORLANDO, FL, (January 12, 2006) — The first game-based learning program for continuing education in architecture and design, CSG 1.0, was unveiled today by CS Learning Solutions, the innovator in professional and workforce education.

Game-based learning describes the convergence of digital game technology and education, an emerging standard for professional and workforce training. Continuing education is mandated by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and most states to maintain a professional license in architecture.

A select group of AIA approved continuing education providers previewed CSG at a briefing during the annual International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando. They expressed enthusiasm for the program, and the expectation that it will attract more architects to their courses and help architects who complete their courses retain more of what they learn.

“We are keenly interested in learning about new technologies and programs that will attract more industry professionals to our continuing education programs,” said Judi Ann Moore, senior program specialist with CertainTeed Corporation, a three-time winner of the AIA Award of Excellence for Continuing Education. “Game-based learning is an exciting development with the potential to help us extend our commitment to serve the professional development needs of the architecture, design and construction community.”

The CSG previewed at IBS consists of a three-part prototype featuring an animated architect character. The program demonstrates a game-based “discovery” theme that engages players in an interactive learning experience rather than a traditional lecture-based format. Game tasks are scored “on the fly” and the final score provides feedback to the player.
 
CS Learning Solutions will begin modifying courses to include CSG modules by Spring, 2006, followed by the launch of  a fully enabled interactive game platform. CS Learning Solutions is offering a limited number of “First to Market” licenses to allow leading-edge providers to participate now in the final phases of development and roll-out of the product.

“CS Learning Solutions was founded on a commitment to produce the most innovative, cost-effective solutions for professional education. From the start, our product development and delivery systems for continuing education in architecture and design were designed to support the requirements of the AIA,” said company CEO Barbara Blair. “In that spirit, we developed CSG to help our clients — the building product manufacturers, schools and professional organizations that support continuing education courses for architects — create more dynamic and effective programs and extend their leadership as providers for the next generation of architects and design professionals.”

In anticipation of game-based learning’s impact in architecture and design, AIA Senior Director for Continuing Education Systems, Thom Lowther, has scheduled CS Learning Solutions to present CSG 1.5, with fully interactive testing and reporting, during the Institute’s Distance Learning Symposium this coming May in Washington, DC.

“AIA is excited about the potential of game-based learning programs to catapult continuing education to a new level and establish a new standard in online learning for the profession,” said Lowther. “We are looking forward to working with CS Learning Solutions and their partners to introduce this highly effective, next generation technology to help architects and the entire design profession learn more and fulfill their continuing education requirements.”