I have a lot of personal experience with…
I have a lot of personal experience with gaming on the computer. At a young age my parents enrolled me in a computer program, outside of school, where I learned how to use the computer as well as playing games- math, reading, ect… Then throughout myK-12 schooling years we were constantly in and out of the computer lab, and playing learning games was something we did quite often!
Looking back on it now, I realize just how important that time was for me and the other students. For one, it got me excited to use the computer and be “allowed” to play games in school, even when they were for learning purposes; I obviously didn’t understand that at the time…
During my student teaching experience, I was also able to see how gaming on the computer helped my students, especially in math. 2 times a week we were in the computer lab working on math, preparing for the state exams. Each student was at their qualifying level and seemed to be having fun with the work!!!
Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 05: Game-Based Learning
Julie S 9:22 am on October 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
@jenaca – great learning experiences. Do you find that you’ve been drawn to any learning games as an adult? Given how engrained you have been with digital games since childhood I wonder how that’s impacted your perspective on the value of games for adult learning?
ifeoma 6:26 pm on October 4, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Wow! Jeneca, you are a true digital native! You had an early start. Your students I guess in a way using games to learn removes a stereotypical formality from the learning process. It is like placing the kids in the domain (play room) only you unlock learning at the same time. I remember non-computer games I played that taught me counting in twos and fives etc.