Sonic Foundry to Webcast Games+Learning+Society Conference 8.0

MADISON, Wis. — June 08, 2012 — In-depth discussions about the use of video games as learning tools and the effects of digital media literacy on education will extend far beyond the borders of The University of Wisconsin-Madison, where the Games+Learning+Society (GLS) Conference 8.0 will take place next week. Sonic Foundry, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFO), the trusted market leader for lecture capture, enterprise and event webcasting, will webcast the grassroots indie event June 13 to 15 globally via Mediasite.

The keynote speakers, Colleen Macklin, design director of PETLab, Reed Stevens, professor of learning sciences at Northwestern University, and Sabastian Deterding, a researcher and UX designer, will be streamed live via Mediasite and archived for free on-demand viewing. There will also be a live-streamed special event by Alex Games, Microsoft Studio’s Education Design Director. Other conference sessions will be made publically available on-demand at www.glsconference.org/2012/.

The GLS Conference is one of the few destinations where the people who create high-quality digital learning media can gather for serious discussion about what is happening in the field and how the field can serve the public interest. GLS, which was also in the news recently for receiving a $1.39 million grant from the Gates Foundation to design and research games that emphasize kindness and compassion instead of violence and aggression, is committed to reinvent learning both in and out of formal schools through the promise of games and simulations. While GLS is based in Madison, it has affiliates, including academic researchers, video game developers and government and industry leaders, from across the country and world.

“We are very happy that Sonic Foundry has decided to again partner with the Games+Learning+Society Conference 8.0 to help us to share our conversation about digital media and learning with a greater audience. By webcasting our event live via Mediasite, we’re able to spark conversations around the world about the power of video games for learning in formal and informal contexts,” said Crystle Martin, doctoral candidate in Digital Media at the University of Wisconsin and Co-Chair of GLS’ Executive Committee. “This is our 8th conference—and it’s going to be the best one yet. We have incredible people presenting, talking, and playing every day—we’re glad that Sonic Foundry is helping us share with everyone who can’t attend this year.”