Integrating Game-based Learning in School

Another problem is integrating game-based learning into the school’s curriculum. There are many different types of games and many of them are suitable for use. "Prensky has put together a list of five hundred "serious" games that can be used to teach different content. Many of these can be found at http://www.socialimpactgames.com…" (Van Eck). The issue is picking the right game for a lesson. And, when should games be used? Should they be used for practice? Or as an introduction to a subject? Finding a use for them in the lesson is tricky and these questions all depend on teachers. Some other problems are that some video games have inaccurate facts or do not go into depth of a subject. Also, what about the topics that are not covered in the games? "One of the biggest misconceptions among educators is that if a game is missing content or has inaccurate content, it cannot be used responsibly for DGBL. However, educators can use these teachable moments to create cognitive disequilibrium (through instructional strategies and activities) by presenting or designing activities by which students discover information that conflicts with the game and the student's knowledge." (Van Eck p. 10) Teachers must learn where to appropriately use games in their lessons and to be careful of what games they choose.

Reference

Bourgonjon, J., Valcke, M., Soetaert, R., de Wever, B. Schellens, T. (2010, December 28). Parental acceptance of digital game-based learning. Department of Educational Studies, Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.

Griffiths, M. (2002). The educational benefits of videogames. Education and health, vol. 20, No. 3. 

Van Eck R. (2006, March/April) Digital Game-Based Learning: It’s not just the digital natives who are restless. Educause review, vol. 41, no. 2.

Trybus, J. (2012). Game-based learning: what it is, why it works and where it’s going. New media institute. Received from http://www.newmedia.org/game-based-learning--what-it-is-why-it-works-and-where-its-going.html

Tyson, J. (1998-2012). How video game systems work. Howstuffworks inc. Received from http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/video-game2.htm