From learning new languages to Virtual Reality simulations...stay tuned to number 1 to find
out the impact of video games in learning!
Number 10: Game-Based Learning In Fiction As far as game-based learning goes, Ender's
Game, the 1985 military science fiction novel by American author Orson Scott Card is perhaps
one of the earliest examples of game based learning in fiction.
Without giving too much of the plot away, Ender is accepted in to the Battle School,
a military training school situated in Earth's orbit, where cadets participate in competitive
war simulations in zero gravity.
After perfecting various battle situations, Ender is finally told he is about to undergo
his final test, but there is a shocking surprise at the end of it.
Was it a game or was it reality?
Although this is clearly a fictional story, it does bring to question the use of games
for learning.
What better way to experience and plan for a dangerous situation than to practice in
a "made-up" setting.
If you haven't experienced the Ender's story, you can do so by reading the original novels,
the recent movie adaption, or audio play.
Although there had been some discussion about an associated game, nothing came out of it
in the end.
Number 9: Simulations.
The technological advancements of the 20th century led to many incredible developments,
of which simulations are just one.
These are imitations of a real-world process or system, and could be considered as an early
form of game-based learning in some circumstances.
The first simulation game is believed to have been a game created by Thomas T. Goldsmith
Jr. and Estle Ray Mann, which was a simple game that involved firing a missile at a target...though
this is not something the military used to practice firing missiles.
Nevertheless, military simulations, also known informally as "war games," do exists and are
used to test theories of warfare and to refine techniques without the need for actual hostilities,
however little is known about them.
But this isn't the only educational use for simulations.
Pilots practice and improve flying techniques, doctors' practice and refine techniques to
perform life-saving surgery, and astronauts practice dangerous space missions.
In many ways, using simulations for educational purposes have helped us with some of our greatest
achievements.
Number 8: Virtual Reality.
Before we get started on Virtual Reality, we'd love it if you took a moment in YOUR
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The exact origins of virtual reality, or VR for short, are disputed, partly because of
how difficult it has been to formulate a definition for the concept of an alternative existence,
however VR, as we know it today, really started to develop in the 1990s, which saw the first
widespread commercial releases of consumer headsets.
From 2015 onwards, the world started to go VR mad with many of the big companies like
Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and many others, investing a lot of time, money and
people-power on VR development.
Although VR has many uses, the use of VR game-based learning has loads of potential, and there
are already some interesting games out there...like Cleanopolis, where the is to fight against
climate change and make sure the city of Cleanopolis get rid of its CO2 cloud, or Titans of Space
Carboard, which takes you on a short-guided tour of our planets and a few stars in virtual
reality.
With the developments in new, more improved VR kits and games designs, you can expect
to see many more VR educational games in the future.
Number 7: Game-Based Learning Skills.
Game-based learning gives people the opportunity to develop and improve a variety of skills.
Scrabble, hangman, crosswords, and other word-based games can help with vocabulary, pronunciation
and spelling.
Sudoku, and other number and math-based games, are excellent education tools for students
wanting to practice math.
Real-life games and video-games can give players the opportunity to improve team-working skills
by allowing them to role-play different roles, work to solve problems as a group, and to
bond with one-another...this last point is one reason why schools, and even some employers,
often use game-based team-building exercises.
Games are such effective ways to learn to new skills that they are used by most, if
not all, professions.
Whether its computer or video games, pen-based or board games, or virtual or real-life role-play
games, games are fundamental for learning.
However, it is important to remember that everyone has different styles of learning,
and what works for one person, might not work for the other.
Number 6: Problem Solving.
Problem solving skills are some of the most important skills in the 21st century education,
and its purpose is to provide people with the skills to overcome problems and difficulties
in their personal and professional lives.
Although there are plenty of problem-solving pen and board games, computers are changing
the way we practice and improve problem-solving skills, and the Internet has made these games
accessible to even more people.
Game developers are creating more and more games tailored to different age groups and
abilities, resulting in a large collection of solo and multi-player problem solving games.
With the introduction of apps, these games are now even more accessible, allowing users
to play at the touch of a button.
Games like The Room 3 and Does not Commute are two just two out of hundreds of app-based
games that can help improve problem-solving skills.
Number 5: Social Games.
In recent years, more and more multi-player games are being created, giving players the
opportunity to play with friends and strangers alike.
Though not all video games are created with educational purposes in mind, many multi-player
ones do provide the opportunity for players to interact with one another, to work in pairs
or groups, and to compete against one-another, resulting in an environment that can help
them develop cooperation skills and supporting skills as they attempt to form alliances and
create teams working cooperatively.
Gamers have the ability to connect with players locally or team up with people from countries
around the world.
Many people playing multiplayer games online, like World of Warcraft, have developed good
friendships with people they met.
Overall, although there are some negative results of online relationships, video games
have created a fun and engaging way of connecting with people and can act as an important teaching
tool in developing social skills.
Number 4: Learning About The Past.
Not all games, whether digital or not, are created for learning purposes, but that doesn't
mean they don't have learning-based features.
One game that encapsulates this is the "Assassin's Creed" series.
Many of its previous games are well known for their richly detailed historical environments,
and a lot of work goes in to creating these scenes.
In their most recent game "Assassin's Creed Origin" they have taken this one step further
by creating a museum-like experience set within the game's rendition of ancient Egypt.
The "Discovery Tour" element of the game was created with the help of Egyptologist who
crafted guided tours of many of the well-known sites in ancient Egypt.
And what better way to delve into history than through the enjoyment of a good game...something
that is more interesting to non-academics and academics alike.
The important point about history focused game-based learning is the vast amount of
research required to ensure the scenes portrayed are as historically accurate as possible...especially
if the game is meant to be realistic to its period.
With the possibility of further history-based games in the future, it opens a whole host
of opportunities for history researchers and graduates.
Number 3: Learning Languages.
When you consider the educational and social features of many games, it is perhaps not
surprising to find that combined they are extremely effective tools in helping people
to learn new languages.
Language learning games have been around for a long time, however, in the past they were
lacking the social interactive elements that we see in games today.
Whereas before you'd have to practice with someone face-to-face or over the telephone,
now you can practice with virtual avatars that speak to you, or you can speak to other
gamers using in-game chats or voice chats.
Some language games have narratives and story-lines, and whether you are playing on your own or
with others, these games provide useful role-play based learning experiences in a safe virtual
world.
In all, these collaborative game-based learning activities provide opportunities for learners
to apply what they've learned, and to get feedback through advice and support, or through
consequences and rewards.
So, next time you want to learn a language, go and check out what sort of language games
you can find, because these will be a useful tool in combination with either classroom-based
or virtual lessons.
Number 2: Nature Connecting Games.
It's an accepted fact that, today, most children in the developed world don't play outside
as much as children did a decade or so ago.
With advances in technology, decrease in prices and increases in accessibility, games have
changes the lives of millions of children and young adults.
As highlighted in this video, there are many benefits to game-based learning...whether
that's offline or online, however, there are also some negative results...especially when
children spend too much time gaming.
One of the effects of spending too much time playing games, whether there educational or
not, is that lack of connection with the outside world, and in particular with the natural
world.
It's hard for nature to compete with games like Fortnite or Call of Duty.
As a result, some people are now trying to find a way to engage children with the natural
world through games.
In England, The Gruffalo Spotters app, developed by the Forestry Commission England, offers
interactive forest trails that track down characters based on the best-selling children's
book The Gruffalo, by Julia Donaldson.
They have also created the ForestXplorer app which allows adults and children to become
tree-detectives, with the goal of being able to identify their ash trees from their alder
trees.
As far as game-based learning go, there is a lot of potential for nature-connecting games
and apps to be developed in the future.
Number 1: Does It work?
Does game-based learning really work?
Well, in short, YES!
Some people will often learn more from a game than from other forms of learning, and it
is a lot more fun to learn through games.
Although many would associate game-based learning with children or young adults, they are truly
beneficial to all ages.
As we've already seen, they can be used to teach new and interesting subjects, help people
learn new languages, or even allow people to delve into historical worlds and learn
about the past whilst enjoying a good game.
Whether you like gaming or not, it is hard to argue against the positive examples of
game-based learning, and although there will always be those it doesn't benefit, and there
are some issues that over-shadowing gaming, overall, we can see clear benefits from this
form of learning.
Moreover, the combination of game-based learning and digital games is a tech trend that fits
into the 21st century, and with over 2.2 billion gamers in the world, it definitely has a long
future ahead of it.
So, what do you think about game-based learning?
Let us know in the comments below and...take care!
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