| Children are always up for a good game. Well, | | | | time to work on multiplication, but if you bring out |
| who isn't? Pretend that you are back in school. | | | | a computer game - poof! They suddenly want to |
| For the rest of the class period you have two | | | | go through their multiplication tables. The |
| choices as to how you can spend your time. | | | | computer game presents the same academic |
| Option #1 is to struggle through endless arithmetic | | | | material, but makes it fun by integrating colorful |
| and English worksheets without any feedback | | | | animations and cool sounds. Plus, computer games |
| except for a stamp that says "Great Job!" Option | | | | allow for instant feedback and gratification. We |
| #2 is to work on the same arithmetic and English | | | | have become a society that runs on instant |
| content, but on a computer. Yes, you can play a | | | | gratification. A computer game can provide this |
| computer game to learn your numbers and verbs. | | | | feedback and it can also provide a means of |
| Which option would you choose? Which option | | | | competition. You will be stretched to find a |
| would children most likely choose? Option #2 of | | | | student that wants to "beat" their worksheet, but |
| course! | | | | a child who wants to beat a computer game? |
| Using computer software in education is not a | | | | You will find them everywhere you look. |
| new concept. Computer games have been used | | | | Computer games are advertised as forms of |
| as a learning tool for the past two decades | | | | entertainment, which they most certainly are, but |
| because they help students with basic skills, logic, | | | | they are learning avenues as well. Gamers of all |
| problem solving, and various other academic skills. | | | | ages are learning every time they play a game. |
| The Oregon Trail was a popular computer game | | | | For example, there are games that work on your |
| in the 1980's. This game helped students to work | | | | business skills. Games like Lemonade Tycoon and |
| on their planning and problem solving skills. If you | | | | Mall Tycoon are prime examples. You are learning |
| have ever played that game you might have | | | | the skills to succeed in a business through |
| realized that it was difficult to complete the trail. | | | | simulation. Simulation is how many professionals |
| Everyone in my wagon always died of Cholera. | | | | acquire the skills for their occupation. Even though |
| Parents and educators that are unfamiliar with | | | | you are in a computerized environment, you can |
| computer game technology may automatically | | | | still come across many different business |
| dismiss the use of computer games for learning. | | | | situations. |
| They view computer games as nothing but | | | | Computer software is here to stay. Email will one |
| "shoot 'em up" and mind numbing entertainment. | | | | day override handwritten communication and |
| As avid computer gamers we all know that they | | | | perhaps games will take over traditional education. |
| are way off base. Just think of all the problem | | | | Granted games most likely will not take over |
| solving, logic, and planning that goes into working | | | | traditional education, but they should become part |
| on a team in a computer game, playing a puzzle, | | | | of the educational experience. A child is learning |
| or figuring out a code. | | | | while playing a computer game. Their memory |
| There are computer games that are specifically | | | | and reaction time increases. They are sharpening |
| based around educational learning standards. | | | | various parts of their brain. The key is to play a |
| These games explicitly include counting, grammar, | | | | mixture of games that range from pure |
| etc. They range from learning software that has | | | | entertainment to ones that are specifically |
| a battery of tests to mimic standardized testing | | | | designed for educational skill sets. |
| to fun, interactive learning games such as Caillou | | | | If your child or student is having trouble with |
| Magic Playhouse. This game allows a child to learn | | | | math, English or any academic subject, set them |
| about numbers, patterns, spelling, phonics, and | | | | up with a computer game. Their interest in |
| many other skills. | | | | learning will soar. Computer games can bring any |
| One advantage of using computer games in | | | | student that is hesitant about school to learning |
| education is that the student is learning whether | | | | whether they realize it or not. Computer games |
| they realize it or not. Many children sigh when it is | | | | make learning fun. |