The use of games engines to create practical learning environments

The last decade has seen a vast growth in technologies suitable for implementation into learning frameworks. Web and communications technologies are now being used in the delivery of course materials to both on-campus and distance education students. Primary application of these technologies however has been in simple replication of existing processes. This paper attempts to explore the previously unexploited potential of games engines in the university educational realm. The author argues that these technologies could address the inequities that currently differentiate the learning experiences of the on-campus from the off-campus student as well as enhancing the learning process of the on-campus student, primarily in application of learned concepts.