Video Games Reflection

Video Games in Education.

Can video games really be educational? What I can say is definitely, IF we know the appropriate approach use to incorporate it in our teaching.

Nowadays technology has become the main idea in incorporating the fun and interesting ways to engage students. It is no doubt the advance form of technology that has been used decades now.

New Technologies has revealed three aspects of its learning approach, mainly digital gaming, stimulation and social netwroking.

Digital Gaming

It has been known that digital gaming has been popular and among the most widely used forms of entertainments by teenagers. Digital games has introduced different sets of skills that developed gamer's thinking and enhanced their learning as well as ability to pocess information as much as possible.
Disadvantage: This types of games is able to teach students on the skills but difficult to incorporate the learning context and incorporate appropriate content to teaching.

Simulations

This approach is based on teacher guided instruction where instruction will be given and students to convey them. However, it is done in such a way opportunities and experiences are exposed to the students. The students will be more engage and motivated to do the task.

Social Networking

Every range of age groups has been exposed to this social networking regarless of being a primary kids to a retired father or mother. It is a more convenient form of technology and most of them are user friendly. It gives the opportunities to students to interact and become more avtive in any discussion.
Disadvantge: The use of social networking especially to younger age can lead to misuse and this is where cyberwellness comes.


To conclude, there is always other ways on how we can help to use video games in teaching. the most important thing as an education, we need to:
1. To explore - we have to familiarise ourself with the concepts of the gaming.
2. To partner with a colleague - get help from friends on the feasibolity of the approach before letting students to dwell in it.
3. To find additional support - try to advertise the use of the approach to the school community and find out more on the approach.
4. To play - play games to immerse yourself in the culture of your students who play games.

Source: http://education.mit.edu/Papers/GamesSimsSocNets_EdArcade.pdf