Can games like "Red Dead Redemption 2" help overcome stereotypes around subjects like history, making them more immersive and relatable? In this episode, we delve deep into the transformative role of video games in education. Our guest, an expert in integrating existing video games elements into learning environments, shares how gamification can make education more engaging and effective. 

Tore Olsson is an associate professor of history at the University of Tennessee, where he teaches and researches American history after the Civil War. He is the author of the new book Red Dead's History: A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past (Macmillan / St. Martin's Press, August 2024), which uses the fictional content of the Red Dead Redemption games to explore real dilemmas of violence in American history. He's a long-time gamer and believer that games can help teach us big things.

Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.

Guest Links and Info

• Website: history.utk.edu/person/olsson-tore/
• Instagram: @reddeadhistory
• TikTok: @reddeadshistory
• Facebook: Tore Olsson
• X/Twitter: @ToreCarlOlsson
• Book: Red Dead's History

Links to episode mentions:

• Proposed guest: Jason Schreier
• Recommended book: How To Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr
• Favorite game: The Witcher III

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