How Video Games In Education Are Being Used
Video games in education are a wonderful way to engage and teach not only children, but adults as well! It’s no secret that we’re in a fast paced, digital environment where people want everything fast and entertaining and that includes education. Over the years, it has become increasingly common for children to become used to using computers to complete homework or do research for school. Information has never been as accessible as it is now but children of the newer generation have changed the way we think about delivering that information. Reading something in a book or on the Internet is no longer “fun.” In light of this, it’s no wonder that using videos games in education is soon to become the norm.
In fact, the US Department of Education (DOE) sees video games as an opportunity to reinvent education and make it more interesting and relevant to students. They feel that if you can inject the element of fun into the learning process, that students will be more likely to engage and learn.
There was recently a summit in New York where DOE officials were trying to encourage video game developers to think more about education. However, if developers want to truly hit the benchmarks that they need to, they need to engage teachers and school leaders to make sure that they are meeting the true needs of students.
For instance, one developer, Ubisoft, has taken scrupulous steps to make one of their video games accurately reflect historical fact. They have a game called Assassin’s Creed that allows players to learn more about buildings they passed or climbed or historical moments that are referenced in the game.
Other companies such as LeapFrog are specifically focused on educational games and activities. LeapFrog in particular has a wide-range of educational toys both digital and non-digital for children as young as 3 months. They have even developed LeapTV which is an educational gaming system that encourages children to “get up, get moving and get learning.”
Aside from the fun aspects of video games, they can provide excellent quality assessments about how a student approaches a problem and how they succeed or fail in their attempts to overcome challenges presented in the game.
Video games can be used for instruction, education, exercise and a host of other important aspects of life. This is only the beginning of what will prove to be a new era in motivating people to learn and do.
