About

Valid Gains Through Video Games (VGTVG) is a one-of-a-kind conference hosted at Monmouth University (West Long Branch, New Jersey) that aims to combine the exciting and important worlds of education and video games. We believe that learning and digital play go hand-in-hand, and it’s our mission to start, support, and celebrate meaningful conversations about this belief. By bringing together forward-thinking individuals involved in schools, healthcare, private practice, and video game design/development, ideas can be generated that help everyone to see how video game experiences can be thoughtfully infused into learning and therapeutic goals. It’s our opinion that from this 21st-century approach, today’s students, clients, and patients are better able to succeed in the “game of life” and “level up” in education, therapy, and beyond.  

When, Where, and How Much?

Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM

Monmouth University Graduate Center,
185 State Highway 36, West Long Branch, NJ 07764 (Building C)

Registration is free for
VGTVG 2024

VGTVG 2024

VGTVG 2024 is supported, in part, by a Creativity and Research Grant from Monmouth University, as well as a Transformative Learning Grant through the School of Education at Monmouth University. This year’s conference will be a full day, face-to-face learning and networking event that will feature a keynote presentation by Chris Aviles (New Jersey public school teacher, esports coach, and founder and president of Garden State Esports) and invited presenters such as Robert Rice (Professor and Chair in the Mental Health Counseling Program at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, and author of the book Video Games in Psychotherapy, published by Routledge) and Yao Du (Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at University of Southern California). Additionally, the day will showcase several accepted oral and poster presentations from public/private K-12 educators and child study team members, healthcare providers, video game designers/developers, industry/academic researchers, and undergraduate/graduate students. If you’re interested in submitting a peer-reviewed presentation for consideration, please visit our Submissions page to learn more about our Call for Presentations.

Invited Presenters

Chris Aviles (NJ)

New Jersey school teacher, esports coach, and founder and president of Garden State Esports
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Robert Rice (NY)

Professor and Chair in the Mental Health Counseling Program at St. John Fisher University.
Learn More

Yao Du (CA)

Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at University of Southern California
Learn More

Accepted Presenters

Jonah Brucker-Cohen (NY)

Associate Professor at Lehman College / City University of New York

Allison Berkoy (NY)

Assistant Professor at New York City College of Technology / City University of New York

Erica Cappellini (PA)

Community Liaison/Coordinator of Virtual Services at PDS (Pediatric Developmental Services)

Cecilia Goedert (WA)

Speech-Language Pathologist at Kaiser Permanente/National Therapy Center

Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors for their invaluable support. The following companies’ commitment to VGTVG 2024 has played a crucial role in making all of this a reality.

Join Us

This conference is designed to be inclusive, fostering an environment where every participant feels welcomed, respected, and valued. We firmly believe that diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich the event and contribute to significant discussions and collaborations. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic, all are encouraged to participate actively, share their unique insights, and engage in constructive dialogue.

  • Information shared at VGTVG 2024 will benefit various professions and communities including:

    • K-12 teachers, child study team members, related service providers, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

    • Healthcare providers such as patient technologists and technicians, therapists and rehabilitation specialists, and social and emotional support team members.

    • Private practice-based educators, therapists, and specialists.

    • Video game designers, developers, and enthusiasts.

    • Industry and academic researchers.

    • Undergraduate and graduate students.

  • Please visit our Schedule page to learn more about what the day of the conference will look like.

  • Please visit our Registration page to register for this conference.

  • Please visit our Organizers page to learn more about the people behind this conference.

PAST CONFERENCES

Please visit our Past Conferences page to learn more about the previous VGTVG installments that have taken place.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

Please visit our Contact page to connect directly with the people behind this conference.