Prototype - a pedagogical model for bringing industry into the classroom

An inter-disciplinary approach has always been at the core of teaching game development at Abertay, typically exemplified through small groups working on extra-curricular projects. The pioneering degree courses have naturally sought to reflect the team based and collaborative models widely used in the creative industries in which our graduates find employment. The strength of the teaching and success of the courses has been demonstrable both by the direct recruitment of graduates into positions in their designated field and by the success of Abertay teams in Dare to be Digital. However at an undergraduate level it has been a challenge to coordinate and unify different schools, departments, courses and modules into a successful collaborative academic and industry model. The Prototype pedagogical project builds upon a successful pilot academic-industry collaborative project, run in conjunction with BBC Scotland and Scottish Enterprise in 2008-2009, and rolls it out to all third year undergraduate students studying degree courses within the Institute of Arts, Media and Computer Games (IAMCG). The project is an evolution rather than a revolution and builds upon the strong foundations of the teaching throughout IAMCG. This paper investigates appropriate and relevant pedagogical methods for the design and application of Prototype and defines the model that is being established, specifically examining communities of practice and the integration of levels and scope of expertise throughout the community. The role of social activity in learning for students, academics, and industry will be considered in relation to the 'expertise ecology'.