A Couple of Games From my Youth
I make no qualms about it, I was a huge gamer in my youth, probably all the way until my early 20’s. Most games have little to no educational value, yes they may help with special awareness and some hand eye coordination, but in reality, most were, well, games. Now this is not to say that all games were uneducational and useless, far from it actually. Off the top of my head I can think of a few that were excellent educational games that were quite popular.
1. TETRIS. Yes this may be the most obvious from an educational standpoint, but it’s still great. Not only was Tetris an addictive and insanely popular game (still is) it is the perfect example of providing a spacial awareness aspect to games. It was revolutionary in the way that it took simple shapes and provided an ongoing puzzle. All pieces were no more than 4 squares, which added to the challenge. There are some complex mathematics behind this game that I still don’t quite get. Other puzzle games, changed the shapes and their sizes, and that’s why they never came close to this one. The simplicity made it great
2. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. For those of us that remember this game it was a geography game. The player was a detective who had to find out where the elusive criminal Carmen Sandiego was hiding though clues and solving puzzles. When they got the answer right the game progressed and the next geography clue was given. The best part about this game was that it disguised education! Really! The player needed to know their geography in order to solve the mystery.
Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 05: Game-Based Learning
Juliana 8:21 am on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi David,
I liked how you brought up “disguised education”. I think it is quite amazing what we learn, when we have no intention of learning and good educational games have a way of exploiting this.
Great post!
Juliana.
jenaca 6:13 am on October 10, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Adding to what you both said, I really liked the way you identified the learning without really even knowing it- “disguised education”. I think this is a great way to help kids have fun and actually enjoy learning.
Jen
Jay 9:34 am on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi David. I remember “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego” and was glued to that game as a child. I am sure it spawned my love and curiousity for other countries, travel and culture and as a kid I lived virtual adventures and exotic trips to places around the world through that game.
As to tetris, was terrible at that game and never had the patience (or spacial awareness) to stack awkwardly shaped blocks together. Felt too much like work more than play. Never really was a puzzle person.
Everton Walker 1:54 pm on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
David,
Good job! Would you classify all games as being educational since they elicit thinking and awareness? Shouldn’t we redefine educational and incorporate features that are required for one to function successfully in educational settings?
Everton
khenry 7:09 pm on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Everton,
I believe that some redefinition or redesign would be highly beneficial. The reading on Prensky’s Digital Natives (http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf) is interesting regarding a redefinition of education and instructional design.
Kerry-Ann
hall 5:55 pm on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I enjoyed reading your post. I remember playing TETRIS, it is a wonderful game and useful one for mathematics and science students. It can be used to teach shapes and patterns.
khenry 7:03 pm on October 8, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi David,
I remember Tetris but was not as hooked, funnily Conroy since I like Math and Science. User Interface design I wonder? But I did enjoy ‘Where in the World is Carmen San Diego’. Like Everton I also wonder at the educational aspects of gaming from what they elicit.
Kerry-Ann