Dr. William Watson

William Watson is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Technology Program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Purdue's College of Education.

His research focuses on a new paradigm of instruction for today’s schools. He believes that today’s students should be active participants in their own learning, and that a learning environment centered on the learner as an individual is necessary to ensure that each student reaches mastery of the curriculum. With their potential for promoting motivation, problem-solving, and deep learning, video games and virtual environments hold great promise for instruction that is appropriate for today’s learners.

Further research is needed to discover how best to design and utilize this technology for learning, and the Serious Games Center seeks to further that research and support instructors in utilizing games and virtual environments in their courses.

Contact Dr. Watson at brwatson@purdue.eduor visit his faculty Website at:

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~brwatson/