| Children are always up for a good game. Well, who | | | | multiplication, but if you bring out a computer game - |
| isn't? Pretend that you are back in school. For the rest | | | | poof! They suddenly want to go through their |
| of the class period you have two choices as to how | | | | multiplication tables. The computer game presents the |
| you can spend your time. Option 1 is to struggle | | | | same academic material, but makes it fun by |
| through endless arithmetic and English worksheets | | | | integrating colorful animations and cool sounds. Plus, |
| without any feedback except for a stamp that says | | | | computer games allow for instant feedback and |
| "Great Job!" Option 2 is to work on the same | | | | gratification. We have become a society that runs on |
| arithmetic and English content, but on a computer. Yes, | | | | instant gratification. A computer game can provide this |
| you can play a computer game to learn your numbers | | | | feedback and it can also provide a means of |
| and verbs. Which option would you choose? Which | | | | competition. You will be stretched to find a student that |
| option would children most likely choose? Option 2 of | | | | wants to "beat" their worksheet, but a child who wants |
| course! | | | | to beat a computer game? You will find them |
| Using computer software in education is not a new | | | | everywhere you look. |
| concept. Computer games have been used as a | | | | Computer games are advertised as forms of |
| learning tool for the past two decades because they | | | | entertainment, which they most certainly are, but they |
| help students with basic skills, logic, problem solving, and | | | | are learning avenues as well. Gamers of all ages are |
| various other academic skills. The Oregon Trail was a | | | | learning every time they play a game. For example, |
| popular computer game in the 1980's. This game | | | | there are games that work on your business skills. |
| helped students to work on their planning and problem | | | | Games like Lemonade Tycoon and Mall Tycoon are |
| solving skills. If you have ever played that game you | | | | prime examples. You are learning the skills to succeed |
| might have realized that it was difficult to complete the | | | | in a business through simulation. Simulation is how |
| trail. Everyone in my wagon always died of Cholera. | | | | many professionals acquire the skills for their |
| Parents and educators that are unfamiliar with | | | | occupation. Even though you are in a computerized |
| computer game technology may automatically dismiss | | | | environment, you can still come across many different |
| the use of computer games for learning. They view | | | | business situations. |
| computer games as nothing but "shoot 'em up" and | | | | Computer software is here to stay. Email will one day |
| mind numbing entertainment. As avid computer gamers | | | | override handwritten communication and perhaps |
| we all know that they are way off base. Just think of | | | | games will take over traditional education. Granted |
| all the problem solving, logic, and planning that goes into | | | | games most likely will not take over traditional |
| working on a team in a computer game, playing a | | | | education, but they should become part of the |
| puzzle, or figuring out a code. | | | | educational experience. A child is learning while playing |
| There are computer games that are specifically based | | | | a computer game. Their memory and reaction time |
| around educational learning standards. These games | | | | increases. They are sharpening various parts of their |
| explicitly include counting, grammar, etc. They range | | | | brain. The key is to play a mixture of games that |
| from learning software that has a battery of tests to | | | | range from pure entertainment to ones that are |
| mimic standardized testing to fun, interactive learning | | | | specifically designed for educational skill sets. |
| games such as Caillou Magic Playhouse. This game | | | | If your child or student is having trouble with math, |
| allows a child to learn about numbers, patterns, spelling, | | | | English or any academic subject, set them up with a |
| phonics, and many other skills. | | | | computer game. Their interest in learning will soar. |
| One advantage of using computer games in education | | | | Computer games can bring any student that is hesitant |
| is that the student is learning whether they realize it or | | | | about school to learning whether they realize it or not. |
| not. Many children sigh when it is time to work on | | | | Computer games make learning fun. |