NAS Report on Learning Science: Computer Games, Simulations, and Education

 The National Academies of Science just released the draft of their report on Learning Science: Computer Games, Simulations, and Education.  The short summary, quoting from their website is:
Computer games and simulations are worthy of future investment and investigation as a way to improve science learning, says a new report from the National Research Council. The study committee found promising evidence that simulations can advance conceptual understanding of science, as well as moderate evidence that they can motivate students for science learning. Research on the effectiveness of games designed for science learning is emerging, but remains inconclusive.
The study emerged from a conference last fall, featuring several sponsored papers and presentations by experts, and then several more meetings to try to make sense of it all (which I got to participate in).  The study provides a pretty good snapshot on where we are and where we need to go as a field in understanding the learning potential of games and simulations.