Video gaming can bolster classroom learning, but not without teacher support
Video gaming can bolster classroom learning, but not without teacher support
Video gaming can bolster classroom learning, but not without teacher support
By Scott DeJong
January 17, 2023
Summary
From earliest days, games for learning were typically small endeavours built from passion or interest, like Grade 4 teacher Mabel Addis's 1960s creation of one of the first-ever video games to teach economics to her students.
Leaving the classroom can be a challenging task for school communities, but video games offer children hands-on moments for experiential learning.
Such critiques point to the value of these and other games having a trained facilitator - like a teacher - to guide the player in their learning.
Without an educator to critically engage students about moments designed in the game, or correct and challenge any inaccuracies, the learning can be misinformed or lost.
Most educational games are designed to be the teacher rather than working with them, which is why so many focus on storytelling.
Educational games suffer because both the game and teacher want to be the instructor.
For gaming to genuinely be part of learning, we need to help teachers effectively integrate the barrage of educational games into their classrooms.
Reference
DeJong, S. (2023, January 17). Video gaming can bolster classroom learning, but not without teacher support. The Conversation. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://theconversation.com/video-gaming-can-bolster-classroom-learning-but-not-without-teacher-support-190483