Game and Learning

Gros, B. (2003). The impact of digital games in education. First Monday, v8, n7.

Game based learning is a concept which has been drawn attention by educators and IT professionals for many years. Calvo (1997) explained the function of games in four areas, motor development, intellectual development, affective development and social development. From my point of view, when games are used in educational purpose, they should promote such development.


Here are some ways educational game promoting motor development, intellectual development, affective development and social development.

1 Motor Development
Educational games can stimulate players' visual and auditory sensation.

2 Intellectual Development
Educational games involve decision making, judgment and problem solving.

3 Affective Development
Player has opportunity to experience competition, achievement, winning and losing in educational games.

4 Social Development
Educational game involves socialization and collaboration.

Educational game, regardless of their types should promote above four type of development. Furthermore, learning is more effective when learning context blended into the game rather than working as separated module. "Kick & Score" (see reference 1) is a good example of so-called educational game, which uses the term of game based learning, does not integrate learning content with game itself and it does not promote full development. For instance, such game has little level of motor development as visual and auditory sensation from ball kicking has little to do with learning (answering questions). In terms of intellectual development, players' decision making and problem solving only has impact on repetitive scoring; hence players are not able to experience adequate level of competition, achievement ad satisfaction. Last but not least, socialization and collaboration are missing in this type of game.

Currently, digital games are on the hot topic and educators are seeking approaches of using computer and online games to benefit learning. Regardless game type or format, educational game and game based learning need to integrate game with learning and it is not simply one plus one. It is an art to select and create an appropriate game to serve educational purpose.



References
Kick & Score from dynamic power trainer
http://www.dynamicpowertrainer.com/english/01_ueberblick/add_ons/gamebased_learning_soccer.php