Video games as teaching tools?
Virginia is testing video games as teaching tools - what do you think?
The state of Virginia is set to become the first state to implement a pilot program that will use video games as teaching tools, according to a recent article in eSchool News. The game, DimensionM, is designed to teach math skills in an interactive format, and there's evidence that it can significantly boost kids' scores on benchmark tests.
Since the generation of teachers that are coming into classrooms today are the same kids that learned arithmetic from Number Munchers and all about western expansion from Oregon Trail, it seems inevitable that the next generation of learning games will find a place in their classrooms. But plenty of teachers remain skeptical about the potential video games have to aid in learning, and worry that they don't have the training or capacity to implement them in the classroom.
What do you think? Do you use games to teach in your classroom?
I have two words for all you people who don't think video games can be fun and educational- Professor Layton. This series of games for the DS is very educational, but much more importantly, they're AWESOMELY FUN!
Games can be more educational than you all admit. I've learned a lot about Greek, Egyptian, and Norse mythology from an RTS called Age of Mythology, and, more so, it piqued my interest so that I would research it more. Another example, a Dynasty Warriors-style, hack 'n slash game called Samurai Warriors piqued my interest in Japanese history, which I wrote a nearly perfect research paper on in Eighth Grade. Even some violent, M rated titles have education value. Assassin's Creed puts you in a realistic Crusade-era environment, which people will be interested in. Assassin's Creed II does the same thing, only with the Italian Renaissance. BioShock has strong undertones of Objectivism, which could lead players into an interest in philosophical-political theories and even be motivated to start reading the works of philosophers like Ayn Rand, Karl Marx, or Henry David Thoreau. These are only a few examples. I can keep going, if you like. Okay: The Call of Duty franchise can help to teach people about military tactics and history. Titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins, can help with the development of a player's morality system. Co-op based gameplay, like that found in the Left 4 Dead franchise can help foster cooperation and teamwork. The Tekken and Soul Calibur franchises can foster an interest in the Martial Arts. I can go on and on, but the point is, that blatantly educational video games usually fall flat, but many games have underlying educational themes. You just have to look hard enough.
RTS games rewuire strategy, FPS's (which this website hates more than anything on earth) need fast reflexes.
Meh, games that actually try to be educational are boring.
However, some games can be fun but teach you skills as well.
For instance, here's a few games I've played and how they can help educate people:
Starcraft: Basically an advanced form of chess, but alot more fun. You have to build up a base as one of the three races (Terran, Zerg, or Protoss) and destroy your opponent's base. But its not that simple, you have to counteract what your opponent does, and learn his weaknesses and strengths. You have to use strong logic to figure out exactly what kind of units and weapons you need to defeat your opponent before he destroys you. Their are many other games like this (the genre is called "RTS" games, or Real Time Strategy games). This teaches fast paced reasoning and decision skills.
Eve Online: When I was around 11, online games taught me about currency, economy, and why the values of items might go up or fall depending on many factors. Games like this, especially Eve Online are great for teaching factors of economy. It has it's own stock market, players who can create their own corporations and companies, and a manufacturing system for weapons, ships, and other items that goes beyond what I've seen in any other game before.
Video games are not meant to teach. Video games are ment to be fun. If these people somehow create an educational game that doesn't suck good for them, but I think the 2 should be kept seperate.
i wish this rocks i may actulley like school now the only reason i liked it before is because my friends were there my girl friend does not even go to my elementary school
Are you kidding?I don't think so,call me stupid all you want but school is supposed to be about learning.When you go home,after you have done your homework,you can play some but it's bad for your eyes and believe it or not health.Go for a jog instead(unless it's raining that is)I would rather go online and go on this website to learn more to show off in class tomorrow.