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| Photo By: Ian Dick |
What is Gaming in Education?
We all have played games
in our life. When asked whether we would like to go to school, go to work or
play a game, I can bet the majority of us would answer ‘Play a Game!’. Games
are fun, attention holding, and bring out a natural competitive nature to
achieve a goal. These characteristics make games a perfect platform for
teaching and training learners. The gamification of instruction is growing ever
present because of the great popularity of games, and the gaming ability to
hold a learners attention, make learning enjoyable, and help learners retain
information. Instructional designers and teachers alike are taking advantage of
this incredible teaching and learning platform.
The Impact of
Gaming in Education & Training:
The benefits of gaming in
training and education are proven and impactful. Games are entertaining,
engaging, and motivating. Games keep the learners attention, they provide a
more interesting way to gain knowledge, understand facts, and learn content. Learners
often become emotionally invested in games, which is a large contributing
factor to better retention of material long term. Students stay engaged in learning
and often are able to stay better focused than in a traditional classroom
environment. This focus allows them to achieve set learning goals. Learners are
motivated by games and feel a connection to, and a responsibility for their
learning. Games put students in control of their chosen adventure, and their
learning.
Games are also a great way to
implement problem-based learning and teach learners applicable problem-solving
skills in life or on the job. One of the greatest impacts gaming has on the
education field is how customizable games are. Instructors have the ability to differentiate
learning for diverse learners and learning styles. Games can also be
specifically designed appropriately not only for the audience but also for the learning
content.
Keeping Up
With the Gaming Trend as an Instructional Technologist:
Gaming is proven effective for training
learners of all ages. Well-designed games are engaging, motivating, and
entertaining. Games are also customizable and can be created to meet the needs
of any educational topic and learning objectives. As an instructional
technologist having the ability to design and create games as an alternative to
traditional training cannot be ignored. The gaming world is growing
exponentially daily, and provides an incredible opportunity to effectively
impact learners of all ages. Instructional technologists need to have many
tools in their instructional design toolbox, and knowing how to implement gaming
effectively is an impactful one. I am very interested in learning how to design
digital games for adult learners that can be used in a variety of fields and
settings. Games for the traditional classroom setting should not be
disregarded. Face to face trainings that incorporate team games are more
memorable for learners than a traditional lecture or presentation. Learners are
more likely to retain information they are presented if it is in the form of a
digital or live game.
Gaming in
Education Resources:
The website has every
format of resource a teacher needs to research and implement game-based
learning in the classroom. This site stood out to me because of the wealth and
variety of information provided.
Edutopia. (2014). Game-Based
Learning: Resource Roundup. Retrieved from
http://www.edutopia.org/game-based-learning-resources
Check out this great article from elearning
industry on the benefits of games in the adult learning setting. The article
outlines five huge benefits of gamification including the engaging factor,
proven effectiveness, employee comfort level, educational, and learning
theories. This article stood out to me as a great resource for industries that
may be hesitant to incorporate gaming into their traditional training arsenal.
Draeger, N. (2014, May 12). 5 Reasons You Need To Be Using
Games For Corporate Training. eLearning
Industry. Retrieved from
http://elearningindustry.com/5-reasons-you-need-to-be-using-games-for-corporate-training
This short youtube video gives an overview of
the motivational factors of gaming in the corporate setting. The video stood
out to me because it also breaks down the different ways gaming can be
implemented in a business for effective training.
TechnologyAdvice. (2014). Gamification in Business. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vInCVUIiq6g
Designed Activity for Gaming in Education or Training:
This activity was
designed using a simple Jeopardy style PowerPoint template. The game was
created for adult learners who are chemical plant operators, the topic of the
game is mastering the standard operating procedure and safety requirements for
loading a tanker. The game is designed to be played in a whole group setting
with learners divided into teams.
Check Out My
SoundCloud Presentation on Gaming in Education:
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