{"id":23,"date":"2013-10-01T11:31:07","date_gmt":"2013-10-01T18:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gamebasedlearning\/?page_id=23"},"modified":"2013-10-14T07:36:24","modified_gmt":"2013-10-14T14:36:24","slug":"introduction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/gamebasedlearning\/introduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Read –<\/strong><\/em> <\/strong>An Introduction to Game-Based Learning<\/h3>\n

Using games for learning purposes is hardly a new innovation.\u00a0 Gaming has, in one form or another, been a part of education since its inception. Today, we consider game-based learning (GBL) as simply the integration of games or gaming mechanics into the educational experience1<\/sup>. Educators who implement game-based learning do so because of its capacity to create interactive and \"\"<\/a>enjoyable learning opportunities. Video games are a natural fit for game-based learning because of their interactivity, capacity for collaboration, and built-in achievement system. They can be designed to teach a certain subject, expand concepts, reinforce development, understand historical events, or assist in acquisition of skills.\u00a0 Development of digital game-based learning (DGBL) has taken traction over the last several years with a growing number of companies and pro\"\"<\/a>ducts appearing on the market. Research in the area is also expanding with over 12000 articles published this year alone.\u00a0 Journals and conferences dedicated to DGBL have also emerged giving further evidence to the growth of this field.<\/p>\n

As video game technology progresses, so does the capacity for video game developers to create immersive learning environments. This doesn’t necessarily mean an 8-bit game such as Oregon Trail<\/em> has any less capability to teach as a modern online game such as Little Big Planet<\/em>. However, recent innovations such as massive online environments, the integration of social communities, badges and other achievement systems, bring with them new possibilities for creative developers of DGBL. By no means have efforts to integrate education and video games\u00a0 been without failure or controversy. However, proponents believe that by putting the creative potential of video games in the hands of imaginative people that the sky is truly the limit for the current and future implementation of DGBL.<\/p>\n

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  1. http:\/\/horizon.wiki.nmc.org\/Game-Based+Learning<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Watch<\/strong><\/em> – “Video Games and Learning”<\/h3>\n

    Watch this interesting introductory video about using video games for learning, just to get your brain juices percolating:<\/p>\n