We have undergone some major pivots in the training program, based on robust evidence-based practice and peer review from thousands of participants, and scores of trainees.
We are overhauling the original approach we took with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions. Previously we follow a more typical academic approach, however, we believe this modality is more effectively learned through more experiential approaches. We were already taking this neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and recreational therapy supported approach, and the evidence became increasingly clearer we needed to find ways, with each iteration, to further lower the barriers to entry.
The editions 1-3 followed a more classical academic model, with larger books, more expansive topics, longer lecture periods, etc.
With the new 4th Edition, based on all of the research, evidence-in-practice, peer-review, participant feedback, etc. The new 4th edition of our training, books, etc. has the following notable changes in approach to the publications, learning management system (LMS), and in-person training workshops:
- Switch from Academid Model to "Trades Model"
- Focus even more on "Experiential Learning" approaches to teaching the content
- Reduce the number of topics covered per chapter
- Further break down the more complex topics into smaller pieces to make more accessible, to lower the barrier to entry.
- Publish "Micro-books" instead of waiting until everything is finished in the larger works, and later offer "collections" as single books as we increment further along. This will reduce per-book costs for those just dipping their toe in, and not sure how much they want to commit (the master book was getting very large and pushing $100+ to cover the costs of paper, the micro-books should be able to keep costs in the $10-$20 per book range)
- Adapt all of the RPG.Education content to these changes
- Adapt the training workshops to these changes.
So, in 2025, we're focusing on the 4th Edition of the Role-Playing Game Professional series of workbooks, study guides, collections, online live courses, training workshops, asynchronous learning management system (LMS) courses, etc.
This time around we are not going to open up enrollment until we have at least the first few of the new 4th edition microbooks fully ready and published. We hope to be able to have all of this ready, and begin new enrollment, by/around March/April/May 2025 time period.
Expect much more frequent updates beginning in early March 2025.
Happy Gaming!
-Hawke Robinson "The Grandfather of Therapeutic Gaming"