Is there more to online games than fun?
In the technological world we live in today, students are in fact more likely to have experience playing online games than they are with reading on a daily basis. Marc Prensky estimates that by the time students reach the age of 21 they will have spent 5000 hours reading, in comparison to 10000 hours playing video games (Oblinger, Diana 2004). So the question that this poses to educators is, are there opportunities for combining online game play with learning?
Students of younger generations place high importance on playing online games. Often it can become a distraction in classrooms and homes if not monitored correctly. However it is evidently possible to combine learning with games, lowering distractions and engaging learners. Games have the opportunity to promote active learning, experiential learning and problem solving whilst having an element of fun which keeps students attentive. (Oblinger, 2004). Students can learn by trial and error in their favourite games, as well as maintain healthy competitive relationships with others in their learning environment through recognition and respect of their success. As games usually have objectives for players, they can be used as a motivational tool to teach skills in mathematics, science and English to students who would otherwise be disengaged with regular classroom learning.
Regardless of the age of learners, there is much that can be taken from online games. Whether it be fine motor skills, teamwork or simply mathematics equations, linking learning with technology is vital in keeping students engaged. However in saying this and implementing the use of online games in educational settings, caution must be taken. The types of games being played must be carefully considered, and used as a tool in conjunction with other forms of learning, rather than as simply a lazy replacement. (Begona Gros, 2007)
References:
Groz, B. (2017). Digital Games in Education. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved 13 September 2017, from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15391523.2007.10782494?needAccess=true
Oblinger, D. (2017). The Next Generation of Educational Engagement. Retrieved 13 September 2017, from https://www-jime.open.ac.uk/articles/10.5334/2004-8-oblinger/
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