Abstract :
Byline: Robert L. Appelman Game designers are skilled in creating environments that are fun-filled and instructional designers are skilled in creating environments that foster learning. Today's demand requires that they work together to make games that are immersive learning environments, and experiential modes (EM) are what both designers create to achieve their goals. This paper posits that any learning environment is a sequence of EMs as defined from the viewpoint of the learner, and that the starting point for designers to begin working together is at the common ground of Experiential Modes. By understanding the characteristics of games and simulations, specific EM's can be defined that will allow these learning environments to be both fun and learning.