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Can video games be a useful learning tool? essay
Technology and education
Can video games be a useful learning tool? essay
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In our current education system, there is a concept called gamification which is rapidly growing from day to day. Well, what is gamification? Gamification is the concept of applying game like thinking to non-game applications to make them much more entertaining and immersive with students. It is an attempt to make things in school that are not very fun and engaging and applying qualities from games to make them that way. This paper will talk about the benefits that video games provide for a learning experience, why educators are cautious about adding in video game based learning, and the future potential of education through the use of gamification. There are many benefits to using video games as a learning tool. For example, video games are …show more content…
This is unfortunate because of the massive potential in game based learning. A major benefit of using video games as educational tools is the vast number of young people who have played video games in the first place. So, if many students are already playing video games, why do very few educators try and use them for an educational purpose? One reason, among many is that video games are believed to dull the mind, when, in fact, educational games can sharpen the mind much more than any lecture could in the classroom. Even video games that are not made with the intent to teach certain parts of a child’s …show more content…
When the time comes that Gamification grows to this level, the federal government will have to take action and either accept the evolution of the education system, or deny all of the usefulness that it brings along with it to the system. This goes to show the evolution of our educational system in America, going from play to lectures, and from lectures to the future of technology assisted teaching. Chances that within the next decade, whether Gamification is accepted or not, the method of teaching being used currently will change rapidly as more and more technology becomes available to us day to day. A new age is coming; and age of technology, known even now as the Digital
Video games have become a hot topic recently. There have been a lot of controversy over whether to play or not to play. The controversy is due to them being arguably more captivating than all other forms of entertainment. Video games narrate an epic tale like no other form of entertainment can. You can become immersed in video games, because of this they are both a highly entertaining escape from the real world and a complete waste of time.
With the introduction of in home entertainment, there is little more we have to do then turn on a television or plug in a game console to have instant satisfaction. We spend less time being active and more time in front of a screen. While this can be true for some people, others are using these same pieces of technology to further education in classrooms where funding may be lacking. Using a DVD as a classroom aid brings learning to life. Titles like Blue Planet and Life bring wild animals into the classroom at little cost. Video games have become a great tool for PE classes that do not have funding to purchase new sports equipment. Titles like Just Dance and Wii Sports can be used to get the exercise kids need and have even been used as a tool to lose weight. Technology can be used as a creative way to stimulate minds and bodies.
Video games also help children in learning healthy behavior, learning from mistakes, mastery, and interpersonal connections that also help with resilience (Kulman). Video games have been known as a healthy outlet for aggression or for just overall stress relief. Video games are like books and movies; they provide a sort of ‘escape’ from reality, and escape from the world of troubles. Video games have been known to be of a huge help to those that have been in traumatic and stressful situations (Meixsell).
There have been several studies conducted on learning and serious games, for example, a recent study by the Office of Naval Research found that video game players performed ten to twenty percent better in perceptual and cognitive ability than non-game players, and that video games helped adults process information faster(Steinberg,2012). Another study by the Federation of American Scientists found that students re...
Video games are no longer the uprising form of media that ill informed parents and scientists used to fear; video games are now an established form of entertainment that is just as universally accepted as film or literature. The difference between videogames and mediums like film and literature is that they do not have the higher value that books have in exercising the mind and communicating information, nor do they have the value that films have to intellectually challenge an audience and to make people think. This is the general argument that can be heard voiced by leading intellectuals in various field as well as parents who are rising young children; both claim that videogames
There are several negative stereotypes associated with video games and those who play them; some of these may often hold true. However, there are plenty of learning opportunities in video games. While the direct purpose of some games is to educate or train, other games that do not directly have this purpose can still become a learning experience for the player. As Ntiedo Etuk, president of the educational video game company Tabula Digital said, “The traditional view of video games has been that they are distractions from the task of learning” (Electronic Education Report 1). Video games are an effective tool for learning and retaining skills both inside and outside the classroom environment. The basic cycle of game play--the introduction to the game, game play, collaboration, improvement of these between each round, and evaluation at the end of the game (Klievink and Janssen 159)--are nearly parallel to the traditional classroom learning cycle of reading a textbook or listening to a lecture, taking a quiz, studying, focusing on items missed on the quiz, and taking a test or exam. Within this cycle, there are many opportunities to develop and perfect both educational, life, and occupational skills.
I have been playing video games since I was in kindergarten and I believe that they have been invaluable to my intellectual development. I owe about one third of my English vocabulary to video games. Strategy games such as Age of Empires and Age of Mythology have taught me planning and resource management, as well as a great deal about the history and culture of human civilizations. Shooters such as Counter-Strike and Unreal Tournament have taught me how to quickly make decisions while under stress, and have enhanced my hand-eye coordination and spatial orientation. Adventure and puzzle games such as Darksiders and Minesweeper have taught me problem solving and logical reasoning, in addition to improving my ability to concentrate and greatly increasing my perseverance.
I know there are still lots of debates going on whether Gamification in Education is a fad or future? and whether it have places in our school?
Presently, video games aren’t merely toys that negatively influence the youth. They have become an alternative means for people to learn and train for work. Games teach values and essential information, and motivate its players to achieve goals. Soldiers and doctors benefit from video games as well. The collaboration of game developers and educators helps improve the quality of educational games. At present, as technology progresses, one can truly see that video games have become an important factor in learning.
Gaming provides more advantages than it does disadvantages. Playing video games is good for you. There are many game genres out there in the world, you just have to choose the right ones to benefit you. For example, if you pick a strategy game, it would help you in critical thinking and benefit you by helping to make good decisions. A great strategy game called Starcraft was inspected in an experiment. It was found that Starcraft helped increased brain flexibility. Brain flexibility is the ability to switch between tasks and look at things from a different point of view. Higher brain flexibility allows you to comprehend multiple concepts at the same time. Brain flexibility allows you to switch between thoughts based on certain conditions and helps you adjust to your situation. For example if I were thinking about playing a video game and end up seeing the word “homework” I would instantly think about whether I have homework or not, and if I do, I would stop thinking about playing gam...
"Video game play may provide learning, health, social benefits." American Psychological Association. February 2014, Vol 45, No. 2
Video game have been claimed as addictive, a waste of time, and a distraction. While this does apply to some people, others have found the benefits to playing video games. These benefits include simulating working environments, helping people escape working environments, and giving great experiences. Although these benefits seems to be beneficial, it still stands that video games are a waste of time in which other things can be more productive.
One way in which video games can be beneficial is by supporting individuals’ intellectual development in the areas of problem solving and logic. Games like Cut the Rope, Angry Birds and The Incredible Machine require players to solve a puzzle under time limited conditions. When people are playing these games, they practice their critical thinking skills and creativity, which are both important components of intelligence.
First of all video games can benefit the person playing the game. Video games strengthen reading and visual skills. In the article “what video games can teach us” by Emily Sohn, Sohn says “because kids are interested in the game, they often end up reading at a level well above their grade.” This statement is true about anything, a person will do things as long as they think it benefits them. In a kids case they believe that reading during the game will help them beat the game. Therefore they will read even though they may not realize that they are improving their literacy skills at the same time as playing the game.A game may improve your visual skills as well. A study made by researchers from the University of Rochester came to the conclusion that video game players gain better visual skills than people that don’t play them. Video game players can keep track of more objects at a time. As well as pick out objects quicker out of a cluttered environment.
Modern technology has made it so much easier to obtain educational information for classroom or homework assignments. It offers educational games that stimulate the brain and help children who have difficulties focusing on traditional teaching and learning procedures. College students are even taking advantage of online courses that many colleges are offering as an alternative to physically attending classes. Advances in technology and computers will continue to play an important role in education for many generations to come.