Recently we were asked in class to consider the role of video games in education, a really interesting topic, and a very popular one! I think there is tremendous possibility in this area, but I also think that there is so much for us to figure out in order to do it right.
A classmate used the analogy that some games are just like chocolate covered broccoli. Game design is so important. The barrier approach - do these drill and kill style problems in order to go do this fun game - won't cut it. The learning and the game play have to be engrained and purposeful.
Some of my favorite research articles are by Squire and Barab and are related to this topic. You can find Electromagnetic Supercharged! and History Replayed on Google Scholar. One thing that both their studies found was that while it was assumed that students would naturally embrace game play, some students pushed back and were uncomfortable with the idea. Some students asked - why are we doing this - and others made comments like - we're not used to talking in class. What I took from those articles, in addition to the fact that there is so much potential to using games in education, is that the role of classroom culture is a huge factor in the success or failure of these programs. We need to better understand how to create an environment or community where this type of learning can thrive.
Last but not least, my favorite topic: how do we measure success? That kids are engaged in a game isn't enough. What are they learning by virtue of the experience. How can we evaluate what learning is happening and to what degree. How do we decide what games to invest time and energy into and which games don't measure up - what is the yard stick?
These are the really interesting questions that I see surrounding the issue. Like I said, I see huge value in using video games in education, but also see a lot of thinking and planning that needs to happen in order to be able to do it right.
A classmate used the analogy that some games are just like chocolate covered broccoli. Game design is so important. The barrier approach - do these drill and kill style problems in order to go do this fun game - won't cut it. The learning and the game play have to be engrained and purposeful.
Some of my favorite research articles are by Squire and Barab and are related to this topic. You can find Electromagnetic Supercharged! and History Replayed on Google Scholar. One thing that both their studies found was that while it was assumed that students would naturally embrace game play, some students pushed back and were uncomfortable with the idea. Some students asked - why are we doing this - and others made comments like - we're not used to talking in class. What I took from those articles, in addition to the fact that there is so much potential to using games in education, is that the role of classroom culture is a huge factor in the success or failure of these programs. We need to better understand how to create an environment or community where this type of learning can thrive.
Last but not least, my favorite topic: how do we measure success? That kids are engaged in a game isn't enough. What are they learning by virtue of the experience. How can we evaluate what learning is happening and to what degree. How do we decide what games to invest time and energy into and which games don't measure up - what is the yard stick?
These are the really interesting questions that I see surrounding the issue. Like I said, I see huge value in using video games in education, but also see a lot of thinking and planning that needs to happen in order to be able to do it right.
