In spite of its typically dull, grey implications, the term "serious games" seems to have taken off as the title for the kinds of games being produced to help adult learners in large organisations learn things in an engaging way.

Ah well. I fear that if the term gets out to learners they'll rather ironically be reluctant to take them as seriously as they do the kinds of games they buy for themselves at home.

Anyway. Many training and learning specialists are a bit scared of emerging games cultures. Some feel that it's all rather below them. I've been asked on a number of occasions in the last few months how a training specialist might get at least a little up to speed on games and learning, (the question's usually asked in the same underhand tones that I imagine a middle-aged man might ask his son what rock bands are "hot" these days - except, rather strangely, I'm a middle-aged man...).

For starters, I generally recommend this lot:

• This presentation by Anthony Betrus
• Marc Prensky's original book: Digital Game-based learning; some say it's a bit out of date now, but very useful, and a good read.
• Learning by doing, by Clark Aldrich. Comprehensive and thought-provoking. Not all about games, but covers the same territory.
• A theory of fun, by Raph Koster; certainly not a theory of fun, but fun, useful and thought-provoking.  

For budding game-theorists, try these:

• Rules of play, by Salen and Zimmerman; heavy stuff, but incredibly comprehensive. If you like your schemas, look no further. Not about learning games, but games in general.
• The Art of Computer Game Design; Chris Crawford's original book is available free online. Sometimes the best things in life are free.

Incidentally, the best way to get into the whole culture is to buy a handheld gaming device, like a PSP, and a bunch of games, and just try them out. Why handheld? Because you can hide it from your kids.