The Information
Online digital games, do they help in teaching all the time or sometimes? Educational games are helpful but as soon as this is announced within a class, students think that this is not possible to learn and play a fun game at the same time. Oh how they are sadly mistaken says many researchers.
Are these students different because technology has made them this way? Yes, and it is strange to see when the teacher is working with new technology how focused students are, technology has developed a magnet to which our minds have become attracted towards.
We have simply evolved into more of a visual and experiential learner. Future teachers can incorporate this so called "new" style into there lessons simply by understanding their students and how they develop learning habits through video games and it is a "real world" reality.
Why is it important, can we just shut out technology and continue focusing on books and paper? This is not the case, the key to teaching your students is having a connection with them. A teacher can lecture for hours but if the student is not connected or does not feel the teacher cares about them, little to no learning will be had. The connection and relationship that teachers can develop through using games will reach some kids that were deemed "unteachable", and it will also have a holistic aspect with the other students.
We have all at one point played a game where we got stuck on a level or problem and have racked our brains for hours trying multiple combinations and going backwards in the game to discover if we missed a key component. Well that sure sounds like it could easily relate to mathematics or sciences. Going back to the root can sometimes uncover the rest of the tree. As teachers we assign goals or objectives for our class and individual students. Squires speaks about this in the same way as players plan to achieve their goals in a game setting.
"We live in a culture of simulation where ideas (such as military history) are investigated, represented, and communicated through interactive digital media." (Squire)
This new age of thinking brings with it a new age of learning, as Squire (pg.2. 2007) said "The 21st century... already includes virtual worlds that people use for learning every day-is happening." So why are we stuck to using old text books and conventional teaching methods. Which side will you stay on?
Are these students different because technology has made them this way? Yes, and it is strange to see when the teacher is working with new technology how focused students are, technology has developed a magnet to which our minds have become attracted towards.
We have simply evolved into more of a visual and experiential learner. Future teachers can incorporate this so called "new" style into there lessons simply by understanding their students and how they develop learning habits through video games and it is a "real world" reality.
Why is it important, can we just shut out technology and continue focusing on books and paper? This is not the case, the key to teaching your students is having a connection with them. A teacher can lecture for hours but if the student is not connected or does not feel the teacher cares about them, little to no learning will be had. The connection and relationship that teachers can develop through using games will reach some kids that were deemed "unteachable", and it will also have a holistic aspect with the other students.
We have all at one point played a game where we got stuck on a level or problem and have racked our brains for hours trying multiple combinations and going backwards in the game to discover if we missed a key component. Well that sure sounds like it could easily relate to mathematics or sciences. Going back to the root can sometimes uncover the rest of the tree. As teachers we assign goals or objectives for our class and individual students. Squires speaks about this in the same way as players plan to achieve their goals in a game setting.
"We live in a culture of simulation where ideas (such as military history) are investigated, represented, and communicated through interactive digital media." (Squire)
This new age of thinking brings with it a new age of learning, as Squire (pg.2. 2007) said "The 21st century... already includes virtual worlds that people use for learning every day-is happening." So why are we stuck to using old text books and conventional teaching methods. Which side will you stay on?
Jane McGonigal speaks about the importance in having games in education. That we as teachers can utilize these tools and engage students in a level that they are comfortable in. To be in the so called "game world" is really a tough sell for most people, but in reality these places give students the chance to learn, be engaged and set goals. It should not be all about individual assignments where the students receive a failing grade even though they tried.
Being able to work with others and achieve a goal or failing at it online, teaches kids valuable lessons even though we as "standard" teachers may not see that right away. But if we analyze it and really focus on what this people are achieving there is some great learning being had by gamers.
Being able to work with others and achieve a goal or failing at it online, teaches kids valuable lessons even though we as "standard" teachers may not see that right away. But if we analyze it and really focus on what this people are achieving there is some great learning being had by gamers.
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