Jeremy Friedberg

About me

I was born/grew up in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I now live in: Guelph, Ontario, Canada

I completed my training/education at: McGill University, Western University, University of Guelph

What I do at work

At Spongelab we develop educational games whose users range from students to professionals. We use games and gaming experiences to help people to learn by doing, to learn through the freedom to make mistakes, and through the application of their understanding. To build these games we utilize modern web technologies and commercial gaming technologies to create stunning learning experience that are used all over the world. My team consists of scientists, scientific artists, programmers and teachers. Together we create both our own products and offer custom production services for the global education and scientific community.

My career path is

1. Was a horrible student, hated school but loved music and skiing
2. B student coming out of high school
3. Barely got into university
4. Almost failed out of university
5. One prof, Dave Walden inspired me
6. Assessment in last year of university changed from multiple choice – discussion response.
7. Graduated with honours in genetics – top of my class
8. Went to grad school
9. Loved grad school
10. Loved teaching but was poor at it. So I started building digital tools to help me teach better.
11. Started a business to help scientists communicate with each other.
12. Completed my PhD with distinction
13. And kept on building…

I am motivated by

I’m motivated by the team at Spongelab, my close friends, the support of my family, my passion for my children – but most of all creating something from nothing!

How I affect peoples’ lives

I love to create – and I get to do it all the time. What I love best is that our games are actually helping people learn – but learn in a way that works best for them - personalized. Our technologies help assess the learning process, and not the moment. We help students understand that they are not the sum of their report card and that their greatest strength lies in their ability to create – and they should feel rewarded for that.

Outside of work I

1. My children
2. Skiing
3. Renovating my home
4. Reading

My advice to others

Have passion and perseverance.