We’re sure you’ve noticed your child glued to a television screen or monitor, completely absorbed by the game they’re playing? It may even concern you, but more and more studies are singing the praises of games, and for good reason.
Improved creativity, memory and cognitive abilities, social skills, teamwork, hand-eye coordination and much more; these are just some of the benefits games can provide children. And now, many are finding that games benefit education as well.
Stimulating the senses
The formula for education has been a simple one: present information, then test for retention and understanding. And clearly it works, until it doesn’t. The problem with the current educational method is that the moment a student loses interest, falls behind or fails to understand something being presented, retention and understanding becomes almost impossible.
Sometimes, one-on-one time with educators can help, but there just aren’t enough educators, particularly in public schools – and it only works so long as the student is eager or willing to be tutored. On the other hand, games stimulate, entertain and can motivate through engagement, regardless of their form. So, how can they benefit students?
Why video games?
Introducing gaming elements into education, like a set of rules to follow, clear goals, and transparent feedback and progression, makes participating a more enticing and rewarding experience. The simplest way to do so is the use of educational video games to complement the curriculum.
Educational games turn mathematics, physics, language and a myriad of other subjects into challenges that need to be accomplished, placing obstacles and puzzles in the way of students. But even regular video games can be hugely beneficial. The prolific Minecraft – a 3D block building adventure game – is being used by teachers to enable students to explore recreations of historical places and times. Students can even have a go at recreating these places themselves, working together to achieve complex tasks, and even competing with other teams.
Minecraft also allows players to build elaborate contraptions with a rudimentary circuitry system, a great way to assist students to better understand technology and increasing logical competency. And if the occasional zombie or two tries to impede their progress, they work to thwart it. It may not be entirely realistic, but fun experiences stay with students a lot longer.
On the other hand, GeoGuessr will let students explore locations around the globe using Google Maps Street View to guess where they are. Points are allocated based on how close their guess is to the real location; they can even compete with others.
The future of education
Outside of video games, gamification can involve rewarding student progress with badges or experience points, to track improvement and add value to their development. It’s also great for inciting a little friendly competition between students, who, like they would in any video game, enjoy competing with one another.
Imagine students competing in round-robin tournaments that pit their understanding of geometry, spelling or accounting against one another. Or mix various subjects together for a triathlon-like event. The games that inspire education don’t necessarily have to be video games; they just need to be compelling.
As one of the quickest growing industries in the world, however, video games aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, but that’s probably a good thing. Because literally any subject can be made more interesting, enticing or rewarding through gamification.
