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 […]
Continue reading A Couple of Games From my Youth Posted in: Uncategorized, Week 05: Game-Based Learning
I chose to play a number of the games that seemed to all put you in a first-person context. The first game that I played was the game Spent. Spent was a pretty well crafted game that was quite short and based on a number of decisions as a single parent that has lost everything. […]
Continue reading Games Posted in: Week 05: Game-Based Learning
As I am reading other posts, I am recalling long-forgotten games, not necessarily for me…my experience with games consists of Space Invaders (yes, that old) and Pong…but I do recall buying “educational” games for my kids, although the quality was definitely not that experienced today. I remember Mario Brothers – and yes, my kids learning […]
Continue reading My flashback Posted in: Week 05: Game-Based Learning
Before you publish your posting, please make sure that you select a category (eg. Introductions) as well as assign some meaningful tags (keywords).
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