Throwing out the first pitch

Over the last several years, faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Interactive Games and Media have been working with students to refine their ideas regarding game design, game production, and the overall ideation process. Most of our students are technology focused, and have to learn the process of communicating their ideas in a practical manner. They must learn the balance between being passionate about their ideas and forming a cogent argument as to why their idea matters. In short, they must learn the difference between having "the great idea" and being able to ideate over hundreds, if not thousands of ideas. Through the use of the game concept pitch as a tool for communicating their ideas, we are challenging students to express themselves in a particular way. Over the course of the semester, we explore game concept pitch processes, critique, iteration, and refinement of the student's ideas as well as presentation and communication skills. We also examine how the process of "first pitch" is applicable to wider areas of computing, engineering, and science education along with career and field skills.