This week in class we had Jesse Miller come to speak to us about online safety, protocol, and presence in terms of our teaching careers. One interesting discussion which came up was the efficacy of video games as a learning tool. It was clear that Jesse was very much so pro-video games due to their ability to engage learners, create collaboration, and really be a form of active learning. I grew up in a very anti-gaming household; I was never allowed any sort of video games, and I think I still carry that apathy towards gaming. So, I was intrigued to do a little more research into how gaming can be a valuable tool in terms of learning and if I could get past my ingrained dislike of video games for the sake of education.
I found an interesting blog post about Game-Based Learning and Gamification which for me resonated more than the discussion we had in class. I liked the author’s discussion of explaining to students that while you can use the same video games you play at home to learn a concept, when you’re at school you play them in a different way. It also provides a good explanation between gamification and game-based learning. Lastly, one of the things that intimidates me the most about incorporating video games into my curriculum is that I am personally inept at them; the blog also provides some advice as to how to mitigate those struggles.
For my fellow teacher candidates, it is a quick and worth-while read: http://www.techedupteacher.com/how-to-integrate-and-manage-video-games-in-your-classroom/
