Speaker Bio

Introduction

Barbara Chamberlin has a unique job: she plays computer and video games and actively encourages those who work with her to do the same. It's all part of the research and development they do at New Mexico State University, finding new and innovative ways to teach and help people learn. Previously a stand-up comic, Dr. Chamberlin now enjoys speaking to groups about technology and learning and sharing exciting research that is changing the way we think about games.

Technology, Game-Related Speeches, and Consulting

As part of Dr. Chamberlin's work at the NMSU Learning Games Lab, she researches games preferences and use, as well as new trends in computer games for education. Her engagement with her research is such that she once had to take her own grandmother to task after introducing her to games on the Nintendo Wii, insisting that the octogenarian put down the game and come to the table for dinner. She directed a national project on using computer and video games to help people become more physically active, and works with an innovative group of educators and designers to create games on a wide variety of topics, from math and science to health and safety. Previously a stand-up comic, Chamberlin speaks nationally on a variety of topics, including technology use with youth. She brings a fresh perspective on the influences of technology in our lives and the importance of making meaning with our technological interactions. She received her PhD in instructional design from the University of Virginia and has worked in Extension for almost 20 years.

Exergame, Health-Related Speeches, and Consulting

Barbara Chamberlin is the Extension Instructional Design and Educational Media Specialist at New Mexico State University. Dr. Chamberlin directs the NMSU Learning Games Lab, where she conducts research on games preferences and use and tracks trends in computer games for education. She leads research on game development at the lab, and serves as an instructional designer on new educational projects. In addition she submits several grants each year, seeking funding for the development of educational media in many content areas. NMSU recently launched the "Exergames Unlocked" Website, exegamesunlocked.com, a resource to help others use exergames in programs and classrooms.

Dr. Chamberlin is currently working on a wide variety of projects, including gaming projects in math, science, health and safety. In the past few years, NMSU's game development team has begun investigating the use of physical interfaces with games and creating new games that encourage users to move. Previously a stand-up comic, Chamberlin speaks nationally on a variety of topics, including technology use with youth.