Learning Hard and Playing Hard: The Evolution of Play
15 Jun
From board games to video games, the evolution of play has reinvented the way in which children entertain themselves. At the nexus of entertainment and academia, game based learning has emerged, transforming the educational landscape.
The 2011 Horizon Report is a briefing that explores the latest technologies likely to significantly impact global education. In this report, researchers provide an analysis of game-based learning. Since 2003, both the interest and the diversity of the games have flourished. These educational games fall under three categories: non-digital, digital non-collaborative, and digital collaborative, all of which act as a form of supplemental learning. Advocates of game-based learning “point to its role in supporting collaboration, problem-solving, and communication” all “21st century competencies needed” by students to become globally competitive individuals.
Game-based learning is one of the best two-for-one deals out there. Students are entertained and simultaneously learn. It is mostly institutions of higher learning that have taken the plunge into game-based learning, but nowadays, K-12 schools are increasingly interested in taking a dive into the gaming world. A school in Chicago recently took the jump.
ChicagoQuest Schools funded by the MacArthur Foundation is a new “project based learning” school set to open in Fall 2011. Students will be enrolled in a full-time gaming curriculum, where video games and other game-based learning initiatives will be used to teach kids about traditional academic topics. Furthermore, students will be encouraged to design their own tech games. Radically transforming traditional notions of schooling, I find that such a school will inspire those students bored with traditional teaching methods, and will serve as outlet for creative expression.
As a trend, game-based learning is worthy of following, and can help address issues that emerging markets face. Games and game-like simulations can be accessed through mobile phones and netbooks in locations where a shortage of qualified subject experts exist. Furthermore, games can be used to help students develop workforce readiness skills such as problem solving, teamwork and global awareness. Playing and creating games can also be used to help invigorate instruction and motivate students in places where rote learning is the norm and hence dropout rates are high.
Are these markets ready for the challenge? Game on!
Keep Calm & Learn On,
Nora
Image available under CC Licensure by PinkMoose
Research-based instruction doesn’t mean that you have to use boring scripted programs that consume hours of student time. Reading games offer learners a fun, easy and effective way of developing decoding, spelling, fluency skills, phonemic awareness and auditory/phonological processing skills in an age-appropriate manner. Reading games are the perfect literacy boost for students short on motivation, attention and memory. The game format allows the integration of sophisticated educational concepts into curriculum in way that is as easy to teach as it is to play.
I completely agree. There should definitely be a balance between research-based instruction and game-based learning, but at times it feels as though the latter is neglected. Games can do wonders for a curriculum and for the general atmosphere in school. Thanks for the feedback!