I’ve just read an interesting article in the Irish Times about using video games in education. Prof. James Gee of Arizona State University recently delivered a paper to the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego advocating more use of video games in education. He argues that games can be used to reinforce complex ideas by allowing participants to experience the learning at a deeper level by activities and a piecemeal approach to delivering what you need to know at the right time. This approach to learning means players and learners can get a deeper understanding of the problems and messages as they progress through the game. Prof. Green has also written a book on the subject, What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy (2003, Second Edition 2007).
Finally we're really getting the idea that gaming can be more than just playing and having fun, it can mean having fun and learning at the same time. I’m waiting for the day when I can say, “Kids, come inside and get on the console you have your homework to do”.
References
Ahlstrom, D. (2010, Feb 20). Educators urged to incorporate video games in teaching. Retrieved Feb 20, 2010, from Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0220/1224264879480.html
Gee, P. J. (2003 2007). What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning. Melbourne: The Learner.
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