VIDEO GAMES By Jim Brodie Brazell, Nicholas Kim, Honoria Starbuck, Feb 01, 2004

Video Games

Feb 01, 2004

 

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By Jim Brodie Brazell, Nicholas Kim, Honoria Starbuck

This highly anticipated report covers the game market, industry, technologies, workforce needs, and implications to Texas technical colleges and universities. The report may be of interest to students, teachers, policy makers, economic development officials, academic administrators, game industry businesses and investors. Highlights of the forecast include predictions related to the global US$50 billion industry: acceleration of network gaming, fueled by next generation “super computer” gaming consoles, broadband, and wireless technologies; relations among gaming and 21st Century science (nano-bio-info-congo-enviro), design-related industries (industrial design, architecture, instructional design, aerospace, architecture), specialized industries that require transdisciplinary knowledge workers (robotics, IT security, national defense, and homeland security) and education; and San Antonio’s academy model for innovation, education and economic development.

Table of Contents

List of Tables	v
List of Figures	v
Author Biographies	vii
Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	x
Executive Summary	1
Introduction	1
Game Industry and Market Snapshot	1
Developing Knowledge Workers for Gaming	2
Innovation Networks and The Wired Generation	3
Game Industry Workforce Development	4
Game Industry Workforce Needs	6
Gaming Curricula	9
IGDA Curriculum Framework	11
Partnering With the Game Industry	12
Gaming, Science, Technology, and Education	14
Market and Technologies	17
Introduction	17
Forecasts	17
Gamer Demographics	18
Digital Game Platforms	19
The Digital Game Industry	23
Introduction	23
Game Company Market Performance	23
Industry Trends	23
Structure of the Industry	24
Convergence Affects the Value System	26
Emerging Industry Value System	27
Creators and the Production Culture	28
Game Industry R&D and Innovation Networks	30
Game Trends and Technology Scenarios	35
Network Games	35
Next-Generation Platforms	36
Broadband and Gaming	37
Wideband and Gaming	38
Advanced Gaming Display Technologies	41
Profiles of Global Markets	41
Survey of Trends and Technologies	43
Findings and Analysis	43
Survey of Industry Workforce Needs	49
Findings and Analysis	49
Constructivist Network Learning Environments	57
Introduction	57
Conclusion	57
Workforce Domains, Salaries, and Occupations	61
Introduction	61
Functional Work Domains	61
Informatics Jobs and Salaries	62
Art Jobs and Salaries	64
Production Jobs and Design Salaries	66
Business Jobs	69
Entry-Level and Future Jobs	70
Conclusion	72
Knowledge Workers and Knowledge Industries	73
Introduction	73
Convergence	73
The Wired Generation, Gaming, and Education	79
College Curricula and The Wired Generation	79
Survey of Gamer Innovators	81
Gaming Curricula	83
IGDA Curriculum Framework	85
San Antonio Partnership Model	87
Ideal Learning Environment	88
Lab Equipment	88
Conclusion	90
List of Appendices	91
A: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of Select Jobs	91
B: Academic Digital Game Programs	99
C: Digital Game Company Inventory	105
D: Technology Inventory	121
E: Experts Consulted	143
F: Next-Generation Console Specifications	144
G: References	145





M2M, The Wireless Revolution By: Jim Brazell, Laurel Donoho, John Dexheimer, Robert Hanneman, Ph.D., & George Langdon, June 01, 2005

M2M, The Wireless Revolution

June 01, 2005 

 

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By: Jim Brazell, Laurel Donoho, John Dexheimer, Robert Hanneman, Ph.D., & George Langdon

M2M is an acronym for Machine-to-Machine computing and both fourth generation and M2M involve networking physical, chemical, biological and neurological objects, systems and environments. Applications of M2M and fourth generation computing span virtually every industry and market. “The most compelling discovery of the report is the emergence of a fourth generation of computing defined as a system on a chip with a single platform for power, communications and computing.” says Jim Brazell, principal analyst.

Highlights of the forecast include recommendations to educators who wish to develop curricula and analysis of the global US$100 billion industry in 2005 forecast to grow to US $700 billion by 2010. The report describes M2M technologies, identifies the emerging and promising markets, and identifies the resources Texas can draw upon to play a leading role in this increasingly competitive arena. Based on more than 100 interviews and an M2M industry survey, as well as secondary sources, the report outlines human capital needs of M2M companies over the next three to five years, and how technical and community colleges can best meet those needs through targeted curricula and transdisciplinary learning environments. By anticipating workforce demands, college curriculum offerings can be a constructive force in attracting high-tech companies to the state and ensuring that existing high-tech companies continue to have appropriately skilled employees.

Table of Contents

List of Appendices	iv
List of Figures	iv
List of Tables	v
Preface	vi
Acknowledgments	vii
Executive Summary	1
What is M2M?	1
M2M Market	1
M2M and the State of Texas	2
Survey of M2M Employers	3
The M2M Workforce	3
Preparing the Texas Workforce for M2M	3
M2M: Introduction	5
M2M Trends	10
M2M: Market	13
Critical Infrastructure and Heavy Industry	13
Transportation & Logistics	15
Structural Health Monitoring	20
Environmental Monitoring	23
Retail and wholesale Trade	26
Utilities	27
HealthCare	28
Home	30
M2M: Industry	33
Industry Value System	33
Telecommunications Value Shift	35
Systems Integrators	36
Rise of the M2M Service Provider	38
M2M: Technology	41
M2M Sensor Network Primer	41
Evolution of M2M Sensor Providers	42
M2M: Survey of Trends,Technologies, and Workforce Needs	59
Trends and Technologies	60
Workforce Needs	65
M2M: Workforce Domains, Occupations and Salaries	73
Wireless M2M R&D in the State of Texas	73
Functional Workforce Domains	75
M2M: Conclusions and Recommendations	83
Workforce Need: Survey Analysis and Recommendations	83
Recommendations from Experts	84
Technological Shifts Driving Workforce and Recommendations	85
M2M Technologies: Survey Analysis and Recommendations	87
Expert Cirrucula Recommendations	88
About IC² Institute	90
Biographies	91
Appendix A: Texas Wireless Educational Programs	93
Appendix B: US and International Wireless Education Programs	96
Appendix C: Wireless Research Programs	98
Appendix D: Texas Wireless Companies	99
Appendix E: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of Select Wireless Jobs	119
Appendix F: Bibilography	126





MECHATRONICS by John Vanston, Henry Elliott, Jim Brazell, Eliza Evans, James Irwin, and Michael Bettersworth, July 1, 2007

Mechatronics

by John Vanston, Henry Elliott, Jim Brazell, Eliza Evans, James Irwin, and Michael Bettersworth

Jul 01, 2007 Print Article

 

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By: John Vanston, Henry Elliott, Jim Brazell, Eliza Evans, James Irwin, & Michael Bettersworth.

Mechatronics is another way of saying “intelligent mechanical systems” and it is the foundation of many 21st century enabling technologies. Mechatronics involves the integration of mechanical and electrical systems with control systems and information technology.

Mechatronic products and processes are increasingly pervasive across a broad range of industries. These same industries are expressing a clear demand for highly skilled employees capable of excelling in these technologically advanced environments and competent in the multidisciplinary application of technologies associated with mechatronics. Colleges should to respond to these employer demands by updating curriculum and creating new courses and programs to serve this emerging technology workforce need.

The analysis and information resources provided in this report will aid colleges in developing Mechatronic programs and certificates. This publication includes an overview of mechatronic technology and analysis of related occupations and salaries, inventory of existing mechatronic curriculum and considerations for colleges considering developing related programs and lists of industry experts and mechatronics companies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Preface	ix
Executive Summary	xi
Chapter One: Recommendations	1
Observations	1
Methodology	2
Recommendations for Community & Technical Colleges	3
Recommendation for the Texas Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development CCD	6
Texas State Government	6
Conclusion	8
Chapter Two: Overview of Mechatronics	9
Current Status of Mechatronics	9
Mechatronics Trends-Drivers and Constraints	22
Chapter Three: Mechatronics Technicians	25
Mechatronics as a Career	25
Chapter Four: Initiating Mechatronics Programs in Texas Colleges	37
Demand for Formal Multidisciplinary Training	37
Relationship of Mechatronics to Existing CTC Programs	38
Texas State Technical College Harlingen Mechatronics Program	39
Challenge of Holistically Integrating Several Traditional Disciplines	41
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	42
Qualified Faculty	44
Laboratory Facilities	45
Importance of “Hands on Training” for Mechatronics Students	48
Thoughts on Mechatronics Program Initiation	51
Chapter Five: Support for Mechatronics Program Development	53
Relevant Information from Government and Trade Association Sources	53
Relevant Information from Existing Mechatronics Programs	53
Chapter Six: Conclusions	67
List of Appendices
Appendix A: Survey	71
Appendix B: Experts Consulted	79
Appendix C: Recommendation of Texas State Leadership Consortium for Curriculum Development	83
Appendix D: Mechatronics Company Directory	85
Appendix E: Select K-12 Mechatronics Programs	99
Bibliography	105





PUBLICATIONS & ARTICLES

PUBLICATIONS

• Brazell, Jim, Nicholaus Kim, Honoria Starbuck, Eliza Evans, and Michael Bettersworth. Gaming: A Technology Forecast, Implications for Texas Community and Technical Colleges Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System and IC2 Institute, University of Texas Austin, 2004. ISBN 0978677358
• Jim Brazell, et. al., Digital Warrior: Task A Report and Recommendations, Leveraging Digital Distance Training Environments Project, Innovation, Creativity and Capital Institute, University of Texas Austin, IC2 Institute, Digital Media Colalboratory, May 24, 2004. 
• Jim Brazell, et. al., Digital Warrior: Task B  Report and Recommendations, Leveraging Digital Distance Training Environments Project, Innovation, Creativity and Capital Institute, University of Texas Austin, IC2 Institute, Digital Media Colalboratory, May 24, 2004. 
• Jim Brazell, et. al., Digital Warrior: Task D Report and Recommendations, Leveraging Digital Distance Training Environments Project, Innovation, Creativity and Capital Institute, University of Texas Austin, IC2 Institute, Digital Media Colalboratory, May 24, 2004.
• Evans, Eliza, Michael Sekora, Alexander Cavalli, Kinman Chan, Jeeyoung Heo Kenneth Kan, Yue Kuang, Prakash Mohandas, Xiaoxiang Zhang, and Jim Brazell. Digital Convergence Initiative: Creating Sustainable Competitive Advantage in Texas. San Marcos, Texas: Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, 2005.
• Brazell, Jim, Laurel Donoho, John Dexheimer, Robert Hanneman, George Langdon, and Eliza Evans M2M: The Wireless Revolution. A Technology Forecast, Implications for Community and Technical Colleges in the State of Texas. Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System and IC2 Institute, University of Texas Austin, 2005. ISBN 0976850346 
• Brazell, Jim. Combined Heat and Power: A Program for Emerging Technologies Brief. Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System, 2006. 
• Brazell, Jim. Crime Scene Technologist: A Program for Emerging Technologies Brief. Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System, 2006. 
• Vanston, John H., Henry Elliott, James Irwin, Jim Brazell, and Michael Bettersworth. Mechatronics Forecast: Implications for Texas Community and Technical Colleges. Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System, 2007. 
• Brazell, Jim. Web Usability an d Evaluation: A Program for Emerging Technologies Brief. Austin, Texas: Texas State Technical College System, 2008.