Prelude - A game of discovery and learning.

Northern Lakes College

June 7, 2010

Northern Lakes College serves 30 communities in north central Alberta. The majority of its students are Aboriginal. It offers a wide array of academic upgrading, bachelor degree, career and trades training, certificate, diploma, and university transfer programs.

Website: http://www.northernlakescollege.ca

Location: Wabasca Area, North Central Alberta

Programs: Careers, Workforce Development

Description: This spring Prelude pilots were conducted with two staff teams from Northern Lakes College for professional development. In May the Careers Team, numbering eleven staff, played a round of the game. In June the Workforce Development Team, numbering nine staff, also played a round of Prelude. Both pilots were facilitated by J.D. Szezepaniak a NLC Life Skills Coach and Readiness Coordinator.

J.D. first learned about Prelude through his facilitation work with the Bigstone Cree First Nations Education Authority. Bigstone was introducing the game within its own community. J.D. saw the value for both students and staff development. He proposed a two-phase pilot project to introduce Prelude to both groups. After several months piloting with 107 first year students, the two final pilots with staff just occurred. The response from students and instructors was very positive. The response from staff playing was also equally positive. It was unanimous between both staff groups that the game experience was positive and worthwhile. Everyone also said they would recommend it to others.

Quotes

• The whole process was a great exercise in building a stronger, more productive team
• Prelude put everything into perspective
• I thought the iTag was interesting and personally relevant

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