Gaming in education is a subject I have written about frequently on here. It will grow to be bigger than recreational gaming, there is no doubt of this. Now there is a conference about it in London on March 19th and 20th. I will be there and so should you if you want to be up to speed on this amazing area of opportunity.

Here is some of their blurb:

The Game Based Learning Conference is the only event of its kind currently in existence that deals with all aspects of games in learning.

The huge surge of interest amongst education professionals, game companies, learners, employers, parents, public sector agencies and technology providers over the last 5 years has been demonstrated by the overwhelming success of the gaming strands in the Handheld Learning Conference.

Game Based Learning builds on this success whilst providing more depth by creating stimulating, challenging and provocative dialogue spaces at the intersection between the education, gaming, social media and consumer electronics sectors. Here, policy makers, thought leaders, innovators and key practitioners meet to exchange ideas, knowledge and experiences as part of a unique ongoing conversation.

Speakers include:

• Tom Watson, MP, UK Cabinet Minister for Transformational Government
• Nolan Bushnell, Founder of Atari, father of the video game industry
• Ian Livingstone, Co-founder, Eidos, Chair, Computer Games Skills Council, Skillset
• Alice Taylor, Commissioning Editor, Education, Channel 4
• Dr Richard Graham, Clinical Director of Adolescent Directorate, Tavistock Centre
• Marco Minoli, Director, Slitherine
• Sean Dromgoole, CEO, Some Research & GameVision
• Derek Robertson, Learning & Teaching Scotland
• Terry Deary, Author, Horrible Histories

The focus of this vital exploration is the impact that commercial off the shelf video games, “serious” games, virtual worlds and social networks are having on new learning and teaching practice in and out of formal education environments.

Game Based Learning 2009 will:

• Examine practical examples of how games and other entertainment software are being embraced in schools, universities and other establishments.
• Present and discuss latest market data, trends and behaviors.
• Debate the implications of video game and Internet rating systems in the context of learning and teaching.
• Provide valuable social and networking opportunities for all delegates.
• Create, capture and make available unique reference material for the interactive entertainment industry, policy makers, education professionals and the public.

The rest is up to you.

More than anything else, the Game Based Learning 2009 Conference will be an important, highly stimulating and engaging conversation between traditionally disparate sectors that must now recognize their intrinsic value to one another.

See you there!