“Throughout social and behavioral science discourse on social and cognitive development, game play is regarded as an important arena for the development and formation of thinking, identities, values and norms (Cole, 1996; Piaget, 1951; Rogoff, 1990).”
Several studies have shown that game play can enhance critical thinking skills and provide the player with an identity. Maybe school systems will begin to realize that good games can help in areas that the school systems want to improve. Hopefully in the future, game play will be embedded into all subjects.
“From such a perspective, the computer game is not treated as a thing in its own right, but rather, as something whose meanings, functions and effects are shaped by how we use them and talk about them in different contexts (Hutchby, 2001; Heath & Luff, 2000).”
The popularity of video games increases when players communicate strategies about the game and what they like/dislike about the game. I believe if we show students good educational games in the classroom, then maybe students will play these games at home and discuss these games with their friends. The educational games will become more popular and more liked.
“Games also seem to offer something which is acknowledged as increasingly important in research on learning: collaboration and sharing of ideas and strategies (Crook, 1998; Kumpalainen & Mutanen, 2000; Tudge & Rogoff, 1989)”
Research has showed the positive and negative effects on collaboration. When students play video games, they do not realize they are collaborating with other when they share strategies, success, and failure. There are many games where students can connect with their friends while playing. Hopefully soon, more educational games will be created that will have a way for students to connect with their classmates at their school and maybe across the country.
Arnseth, H. (2006). Learning to play or playing to learn - a critical account of the models of communication informing educational research on computer gameplay. The international journal of computer game research, 6(1), retrieved from https://online.fairmontstate.edu/webct/urw/lc15057011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct
Angry Birds is a very popular game. I would guess there is only a small percentage of students with smart phones or devices that doesn’t play it. So what a better way to teach physics principles to your students! This video shows an astronaut on the ISS explaining the new Angry Birds in Space game and how it relates to understanding the laws of motion in order to understand how to play the game.
Angry birds space: nasa announcement [Web]. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxI1L1RiSJQ
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