Eric Klopfer

Eric Klopfer is a Professor and Director of the Scheller Teacher Education Program and The Education Arcade at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, affiliated with the Comparative Media Studies/Writing department under the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. He also serves as a co-faculty director for MIT’s J-WEL World Education Lab, focusing on educational innovation and technology.

His research utilizes Design-Based Research to explore the educational technology ecosystem, emphasizing computer games, simulations, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mobile platforms for STEM education. His lab has developed impactful tools like the MMO The Radix Endeavor, StarLogo Nova, and Taleblazer, alongside massive open online courses reaching hundreds of thousands of learners.

Klopfer co-founded the non-profit Learning Games Network and authored influential books including Augmented Learning and Resonant Games. He received the Education Award from the American Institute of Biological Sciences in 2008 and has pioneered early augmented reality experiments in education, such as the Environmental Detectives game at MIT.