When I first heard that Microsoft had jumped on the "give Cohort D free tech stuff" bandwagon I was ecstatic! Can you imagine using video games to teach a concept? I would have done a whole lot more homework as a child if it had been in the form of a video game because, to be honest, I was usually too busy playing games to be bothered with homework!
Check out this article in Science!
This article focuses on using video games as a teaching tool in the science, technology, engineering and math subjects (the so called "STEM" subjects). They describe how video games provide an interactive environment in which students can learn at their own pace and, in well designed games, receive points, levels, or even magic swords for achievements that leave them with a feeling of self accomplishment. A great point that Mayo (the author) makes is that:
Games also simultaneously present information in multiple visual and auditory modes, which capitalizes on different learning styles.
For me, this addresses one of the key points we had hammered into our heads last week when discussing diversity: differentiated instruction. Video games are audio, visual and tactile, and by using video games as a teaching tool, the teacher has the opportunity to touch all three learning styles.
As a final thought, I want to bring an important point to everyone's attention to the advertisement on the right:
12 million players... 12 MILLION PLAYERS! The reach of some video games is so expansive today. How many kids go home after school and play World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Starcraft, Minecraft or Plants vs. Zombies? If kids are going home and playing video games instead of doing their homework, why fight it? I say embrace it! Find a video game that is both enjoyable and has the educational content you want to convey and assign that for homework. You know what they say, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
