.
Dr. Elhanan Gazit, PhD is pioneering the Gamer’s Mindset and VRXR solutions to drive business growth. He advises companies and entrepreneurs through consulting, talks, and his upcoming book ‘The Gaming Generation Plus’ (working title, 2025). As host of ‘Gaming in Mind’ and ‘MetaYeda’ podcasts, he bridges future-ready innovation insights with actionable strategies.
Elhanan has been the Israeli Chapter of DiGRA – Digital Games Research Association since 2007. He has been serving as the Middle-East Co-Chair of The Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) Conferences since 2017. Additionally, he has served at the IEEE Education Society as the Industrial Liaison Middle East Co-Chair of the Technical Committee on Immersive Learning Environments (ILE-TC). He has been the founder and manager of the MetaYeda international community since 2022.
Currently, he is a Lecturer at Ono Academic College in his areas of specialization in the master’s degree program in marketing management and digital strategy at the School of Marketing and Management, Faculty of Business Administration at Ono Academic College:
Gaming, Communication, and Culture Converge
Metaverse, ARVRXR, Spatial Computing, and Gamification: The Future of Marketing
Selected publications
Gazit, E. (in the working). LVLUP Smart.
Birenbaum, M., & Gazit, E. (2018). The Learners' Isle: A Multi-User Virtual Environment to Foster Learner Agency and Motivation. In Y. Qian (Ed.), Integrating Multi-User Virtual Environments in Modern Classrooms (pp. 240-258). Hershey, PA: IGI Global. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-3719-9.ch011
Birenbaum, M., & Gazit, E. (2018). A virtual learning environment based on principles of assessment for learning (AfL) and gamification. In: Birenbaum, M. (Ed.): AfL (Assessment for Learning) research and Implementation of Students and Teachers in Israel, Chapter 14, (pp. 285-305). MOFET Institute Press, Tel-Aviv (Hebrew).
Lavee, Z., & Gazit, E. (2012). World of Warcraft (WOW) guild conflict management insights for organizations leadership building. In: Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference of MEITAL-The Israeli Inter-University Center for E-Learning (IUCEL). In: Yair, Y., & Shmueli, E. (Eds.). Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 10th of July, 2012. (pp. 66-73). (Hebrew).
Gazit, E. (2009). A window on digital games interactions in home settings. In: Ferdig, R. E (Ed.) Handbook of Research on Effective Electronic Gaming in Education, Vol 1, (pp.127-145). IGI Global Press.
Gazit, E., Yair, Y., & Chen, D. (2006). The gain and pain in taking the pilot seat: Learning dynamics in a non immersive virtual solar system, Virtual Reality, 10 (3-4), 271-282.
Gazit, E., Yair, Y., & Chen, D. (2006). Emerging Conceptual Understanding of Complex Astronomical Phenomena by Using a Virtual Solar System, Journal of Science Education and Technology, 14 (5-6), 459 – 470.
Gazit, E. (2005). The gain and pain in taking the pilot seat: Learning interactions in virtual reality environments. An unpublished Dissertation for the Degree of “Doctor of Philosophy”. The School of Education, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. (Hebrew)
Gazit, E. & Chen, D. (2003). Using the observer to explore learning within virtual worlds. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 35 (3), 400-407.
Awards
– PostDoc scholarship Virtual Reality Lab. Caesarea Rothschild Institute, University of Haifa. 2005
– The Sakta-Rashi National Scholarship for outstanding Science Education PhD Candidates, 2003-2005.
– The Dean's PhD Excellence Scholarship, Tel-Aviv University, 2002.
– The Kushnir's M.A Excellence Scholarship, Tel-Aviv University, 1999.
Research and Development Grants
– Advance Games apps design for Teens with special needs (2013). The Higher Education Council, 30K.
– Games apps design for teens with special needs (2012). The Higher Education Council & Variey Israel, 80K.
– Learning and Instruction with Avatars in 3D Virtual Worlds (2009-2010). MOFET institute, 30K.
– Games4Girls design Academy (2007). The Higher Education Council VATAT, 25K.
Selected invited keynotes presentations & workshops
Gazit, E. (Forthcoming). How to How to Craft Epic CX with Gaming and Gameful Mindset, 2020 (TBA).
Gazit, E. (2020). Play-Tours and Epic Llamas Experiences: The Gameful Future of Tourism, The Yitzhak Rabin Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 10th of January, 2020.
Gazit, E. (2019). 'Fortnite's Effect': New PlayDagogy for the Gameful Heroes Generation. The Cohen-Harris 'Resilience' HOSEN Center, founded by the Association for Children at Risk, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 31st of March, 2019.
Gazit, E. (2019). What Fortnite's Epic Success can Teach Us about Our Gameful Generation, Society and Culture, The IDC Academic Seminar, IDC – The Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel, 26th of March, 2019.
Gazit, E. (2019). 'Fortnite: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the Gaming World', The Digital Craze Symposium: Video games addiction: risks factors, diagnose and Treatment, The Department of Child and Family Guidance, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Israel, 25th of March, 2019.
Gazit, E. (2019). LEVEL UP! The 5 Top Secrets your Startup Must Learn from Fortnite’s Epic Success on Effective Gameful Design. EmekTech by TerraLab Ventures Meetup. Yoqne'am Illit, Israel, 4th of March, 2019.
Gazit, E. (2018). 5 Top Secrets You Must Learn from Fortnite’s Epic Success on Effective Gameful Design Process. Gamification Workshop, The Dansk Arkitektur Center – DAC, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4th of October, 2018.
Gazit, E. (2017). Virtual/ Mixed Reality and Gamification in the Classroom: The GamefulHeroes Future is re-shaping our Learning Future. Digital Pedagogy 2017 Event, Biet Berl College, 20th of February 2017.
Gazit, E. (2017). The Future of Gaming and GamefulHeroes Journey. Academia Web TV Show for The Ministry of Education.
Gazit, E. (2017). Gamification Workshop: The GamefulHeroes Future of Marketing and Social Media. Advertising and Marketing Communications Department, at Business Administration School, Ono Academic College, January 2017.
Birenbaum, M., & Gazit, E. (2017). A virtual learning environment based on principles of assessment for learning (AfL) and gamification. iLRN 2017 – International Conference on Immersive Learning Technologies.
Gazit, E. (2016). The Gameful Future: How PokemonGo, Minecraft and Virtual Reality Technologies are reshaping the learning landscape. Annual Meeting of the ICT in Education, Ministry of Education, Haifa, 26th of September 2016.
Gazit, E. (2016). Designing the GamefulHeroes journey: Playful tips and tricks for Startups. BGU Innovation Lab of the Negev. Ben-Gurion University,Be'er Sheva, 31 of August, 2016.
Gazit, E. (2015). The Gameful Heroes: 4 Principals for making your instruction and training more engaging and effective. The X Cyber Security Sector. 23d of March 2015.
Gazit, E. (2015). The Games of Chairs: How we gamify the elections to boost participation? The 2015 Israeli elections in Social Media Networks Panel, Institute for Internet Studies. Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv. 20th of January 2015.
Gazit, E. (2014). Desiging gameful apps for boosting your B2C and B2B marketing and sales in 10 steps. The National Annual Sales 2015 Convention by Blanchard. The Maccabia Center, Ramat-Gan, 20 of November, 2014.
Gazit, E. (2013). Classroon Gamification: Should we "Candy Crash" Learning?. The First Israeli Games for Change Conference, Planet Center, Rishon-LeZion, 3d of November, 2013.
Gazit, E. (2013). Assessment for Learning (AFL) with Gamification in the classroom. Games and Education Conference for teachers. Tel-Aviv Pedagogical Center, Tel-Aviv. 23d of September, 2013.
Gazit, E. (2012). The Gamification or the Fun-Gineering of Learning. SHILUVIM Alumni Association, The TAU Engineering Faculty Graduates Business Club "Web Learning" Event. Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv. 7th of August, 2012.
Lavee, Z., & Gazit, E. (2012). World of Warcraft (WOW) guild conflict management insights for organizations leadership building. The 10th Annual MEITAL National e-learning Conference, IUCC. The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 10th of July, 2012.
Gazit, E. (2011). Life as a Game: Five Reasons Why We Should Gamify Business and Education. The Web Present and future trends Symposium, Info 2011 Conference, Dan Hotel Tel-Aviv, 18th of May, 2011.
Gazit, E., & Ravid, O. (2011). Second Life Avatar in the foot steps of people with special needs: Interaction and Docu-Machinima in virtual worlds for higher education teaching, The MOFET Institute Third International Online Conference, "Opening Gates in Teacher Education, 2011: Teacher Education in the Age of Globalization, 25-26st of January, 2011.
Gazit, E. (2010). Virtual Worlds Second Life avatar and beyond for higher education. The 8th Annual MEITAL National e-learning Conference, IUCC. The Open University campus, Raanana, 29th of June, 2010. (pre-conference workshop).
Gazit, E. (2010). Avatar Journey: Learning in virtual world of Second Life and beyond. The Gifted Children Center, 20th of January, Raannan, Israel.
Gazit, E., & Burden, D. (2010). Avatar PIVOTE: Effective simulations in virtual worlds. The SR Symposium, 10th of January, IBM R&D IBM Labs, University of Haifa, Haifa, ISRAEL.
Lavee, Z., & Gazit, E. (2009). World of Warcraft (WOW) guild conflict management case study: Lessons for business organizations. The Israeli Chapter SLACTIONS 2009 Virtual Global Conference, 24th of September, The MOFET Institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2009-10). Using virtual worlds for learning and teaching in the educational system. The MOFET Institute Virtual Worlds Forum. The MOFET Institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel. (workshop).
Gazit, E. (2009). Future trends of virtual worlds for business. HP Israel Managers Forum, 30 of April, Raanana, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2009). New Horizons for Learning in Virtual Worlds. The SLACTIONS 2009 Conference. 24th of September, 2009, The MOFET Institute, Tel-Aviv Israel and Second Life.
Lavee, Z., & Gazit, E. (2009). World of Warcraft (WOW) guild conflicts management lessons for organizations. The SLACTIONS 2009 Conference. 24th of September, 2009, The MOFET Institute, Tel-Aviv Israel and Second Life.
Gazit, E. (2009). New Horizons for Instruction in Virtual Worlds. Pecha-Kucha Innovation Session, The Israeli Training and Learning in Organizations Annual Conference, 16th of June, 2009, Kafar-HaMacabia, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2009). Start your Engines! Real-Virtual Worlds Engaging Interactions.The Virtual Worlds Best Practice in Education 2009 Conference (VWBPE09). 29th of March, 2009, Second Life.
Gazit, E. (2009). Real – Virtual Worlds Engaging Interactions.The Virtual Seminar Learn, Teach and Play in 3D Virtual Worlds,The City University London VSeminar,17 of March 2009, Second Life and London, UK.
Gazit, E. (2009). When Web2.0 Meets Web3D. MIND THE GAMES 2009. DiGRA ISRAEL Winter Meet-UP, Amdocs Israel, 29th of January, 2009, Raanana, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2009). Real-Virtual Worlds Engaging Interactions.The Human-Computer Interactions Seminar, H.I.T-Holon Institute of Technology, 1st of January, 2009, Holon, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2008). The future of the Web3D for the Y-generation is here! Educational potential and risks, The Annual Eshnav Summer Conference "Childern in Virtual Worlds", 17th of June 2008, Rishon-LeZion, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2008). The challenges and the potential of the Web3D. The Computer Science Seminar, Computer Science Department. H.I.T-Holon Institute of Technology, 3th of June 2008, Holon, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2008). Possible cultural implications of Machinima: A new narrative medium for the Y-[tube] Generation.The First Israeli Popular Culture Conference: Rules of Disorder Shifting Boundaries, Emerging Realities and New Identities, Cinematec Tel Aviv May 15, 2008.
Gazit, E. (2008). The future of virtual worlds business for the Y-generation, The Annual Design-COMMerce-Technology-Culture08 Conference, H.I.T-Holon Institute of Technology, 5th of May 2008, Holon, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2008). The challenge of studying interactions in virtual worlds. Virtual Worlds workshop. The IDC Herzliya, 18th of Januray 2008, Herzliya, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2007). Virtual Worlds: The next big thing or the biggest Web 2.0 bubble?, BrownBag Lecture, Amdocs, 27st of November 2007, Raanana, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2007). Mobile Games: Big lessons from small screens research-Pervasive Games and the importance of Soundscape in future mobile games design. The Mobile Games Convention “Bringing fun to the Masses”, 16th of September, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Gazit, E. (2007). Analyzing children’s video games learning interactions is a serious matter. Learning with Games2007 Conference, 24th-26th of September 2007, Sophia Antipolis, France.
Gazit, E. (2007). Serious Games – Opportunity outside the consumer markets. The IDC–CEMA Analysts Conference on Gaming, 5th of February, 2007, Tel-Aviv. Israel.
Gazit, E. (2007). Video Games are [not] a Very Serious Bussiness. From the Lebanon War and up to the Computer Screen – Media and Communication Symposium, 7th of January 2007, Oranim Acadmic College of Edication, Kiryat Tiv'on, Israel. (Hebrew).
Gazit, E. (2007). From the art of tracking as the origin of science to the cyber net games as ILA tools. For the 7th conference of the Israel Society for History and Philosophy of Science (ISHPS 2007) 18th of March 2007, Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. (Hebrew).
Gazit, E. (2006). From Air balloon to virtual space journeys: Using virtual reality environments for science learning. The Interdisciplinary Conference Representations of Science: A Scientific-Literary Journey with Jules Verne. The University of Haifa, Israel, 16-17 May, 2006. (Hebrew). [On-line] available at: http://julesverne.haifa.ac.il/gazit.html
Gazit, E., & Messinger-Jedeikin, O. (2006). The video games revolution goes to school. The Second International Virtual Conference for Teachers Educators. MOFET institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 13-15 February 2006. (Interactive Forum). [On-line] available at: http://vc2006.macam.ac.il/pre/
Gazit, E. (2006). The gain and pain in taking the pilot seat: Learning interactions in virtual reality environments. The Second International Virtual Conference for Teachers Educators. MOFET institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 13-15 February 2006. (Interactive Forum). [On-line] available at: http://vc2006.macam.ac.il/pre/
Gazit, E. (2006). Virtual Reality and Video games as learning environments. The First National Digital Games Conference and Exhibition: Games and Gamers. Beit Berl Academic College, Israel, 22-23 of January 2006.
Gazit, E. (2005). Analyzing learning and teaching interactions by using computerized tools. The 3rd International Conference on Multimedia and ICTs in Education (m-ICTE2005), Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain, 8-10 June 2005. [On-line] available at: http://www.formatex.org/micte2005/workshops.htm
Gazit, E. (2005) Videogames as complex learning environments. Show case presentation. The 3d VR Symposium: Virtual Reality Associated Technologies and Rehabilitation Showcase. The University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel, 7-9 March 2005.
Gal, E., Gazit, E., Weiss, T., & Sachar, M. (2005). Multi-user touch table as a tool for enhancing collaboration among autistic children. The 3d VR Symposium: Virtual Reality Associated Technologies and Rehabilitation Showcase. The University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel, 7-9 March 2005.
Ringold-Primerman, D., & Gazit, E. (2004). Data space as a kaleidoscope: Using computerized tools for qualitative analysis: Between language acquisition and learning interactions in virtual worlds. The First Israeli multi-disciplinary conference on qualitative methodologies: the Multidimensional Human, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 22-23 March 2004. (Hebrew).
Gazit, E., Yair, Y., & Chen, D. (2007). Come and take the pilot seat! Learning dynamics in a virtual solar system. The Learning Technologies Studies Ch@is 2007 conference: The Learning Human in the Technological Age, The Open University, Raanna, Israel, 20 February, 2007.
Gazit, E. (2006). A window to digital games interactions in informal settings. Current Development in Technology-Assisted: E-learning: The 4th International Conference on Multimedia ICT’s' in Education (m-ICTE 2006), Seville, Spain 22-5 November 2006.
Gazit, E. (2006). Analyzing multi-dimensional interactions in video games environments. The Qualitative research challenges: Man and society, The Second Israeli Multi-disciplinary conference on qualitative methodologies, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 5-6th of June 2006.
Gazit, E. (2006). Innovative perspectives for studying the creation of learning pathways. The Qualitative research challenges: Man and society, The Second Israeli Multi-disciplinary conference on qualitative methodologies, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 5-6th of June 2006.
Gal, E., Goren-Bar, D., Gazit, E., Bauminger, N. Shahar, M., Cappelletti, A., Pianesi, F., Stock, O., Zancanaro, M., & Weiss P. L. (2005). Enhancing social communication through story-telling among high-functioning children with autism. Intelligent Technologies for Interactive Entertainment: The First International Conference, INTETAIN 2005, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, December 2005.
Gazit, E. (2005). Real People and Virtual Animals: Videogames interactions as a tool for social awareness, collaborative learning and leadership building. The 10th annual symposium of the Israeli "Animal and Society" Project. Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv Israel, 12 July, 2005.
Gazit, E. (2005). Videogames as learning and teaching environments. The 6th “Surfing the Internet” Symposium: Aiming towards ICT in Education: Challenge or Routine?”. MOFET Institute, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 31 May, 2005.
Gazit, E. (2005). Videogames based learning. The 10th Annual conference of LAMDA: Science and Technology in Motivation and Enjoyment, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat-Aviv: Israel, 1 May, 2005.
Gazit, E., Chen, D., Yair, Y. (2004). Using a virtual solar system to develop a conceptual understanding of basic astronomical phenomena. The ED-Media 2004 World conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, Lugano: Switzerland, 21-26 June, 2004.
Gazit, E., Chen, D., Yair, Y. (2004). Developing Understanding of Basic Astronomical Concepts By Using a Virtual Solar System. The 6th International Conference of the Learning Sciences "Embracing Diversity in the Learning Sciences", University of California, Los Angeles, 22-26th of June, 2004.
Gazit, E. (2004). The gain and pain in taking the pilot seat: Interactions dynamics within virtual learning environments. The 3d International Symposium on VR & Rehabilitation, The Institute for Interdisciplinary Applications of Computer Science, University of Haifa, Israel, 17-18 March, 2004.
Gazit, E., Chen, D. (2004). The Butterfly, the Bee, and the Eagle: Learning patterns in a virtual solar system. The 19th National Computers and Education Conference, Tel-Aviv, Israel, 12-13th of January, 2004.
Gazit, E., Chen, D. (2003). The dynamics of learning within a virtual solar system. Advances in Technology-Based Education: Towards a Knowledge-Based Society: The 2d International Conference on Multimedia ICT’s' in Education (m-ICTE 2003), Badajoz, Spain, 3-6 of December, 2003.
Gazit, E. (2003). Developing understanding of astronomical concepts by using a virtual solar system. Advances in Technology-Based Education: Towards a Knowledge-Based Society: The 2d International Conference on Multimedia ICT’s in Education (m-ICTE 2003), Badajoz, Spain, 3-6th of December, 2003.
Gazit, E., & Chen, D. (2002). Using the observer to analyze exploration in virtual worlds. The 4th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in behavioral Research: Measuring Behavior 2002, Vrije University, Amsterdam, The Nederland, 27-30th of August, 2002.