Learning in Video Games

With the release of the Nintendo Wii, XBox 360, and Playstation 3, the video game industry has been capturing a lot of interest lately. But is it just entertainment?  Researchers today have realized the educational value of games.  Exactly what is it about video games that makes them potentially useful for learning? Here are a few reasons:

• They’re engaging. Unlike a traditional classroom where students passively listen to a talking head, kids and adults both want to participate actively when it comes to video games — and they might not even realize that they’re learning as they are having fun.
• They can promote computer and digital literacy. In a day where most of the jobs are increasingly dependent on technology, having a gateway to computer familiarity and comfort is a good thing.
• They can be used to promote knowledge construction. Games like Civilization 4, Zoo Tycoon 2 or Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? demonstrate games’ ability to promote a player’s learning about animals, history, geography, and so on.
• They promote ill-defined problem solving and decision-making skills. The real world is often about choosing between tough choices. Many video games are no different, with multiple choices and players deciding which path to choose.
• They can instill leadership skills. Particularly in online multiplayer games, opportunities for leadership abound.
• They typically feature characteristics that are known to be good for learning. For example, researchers highlight the importance of immediate feedback and reinforcement - seeing the results of one’s actions. And scaffolding — assisting the learner just enough to understand a concept or to learn a skill — is good for learning and found in games.
• They are a relatively safe environment to learn things. People can practice skills, try new ideas, and learn from their mistakes as they go.
• They can be used as real-world simulations. For example, surgeons can train using simulations; leaders can practice their decision making when faced with various scenarios; and software that can let people (like doctors) practice their skills when it is expensive (or deadly!) to make mistakes. Even the US Army has started to take notice — they recently released a game called America’s Army, a semi-realistic game that has been used to simulate army life. It’s been effective as a recruitment tool. When gamers refine their skills — whether it’s as a soldier, surgeon, or scientist — learning takes place.