Games for Learning

Lisa Dawley, Ph.D.Professor & ChairDept. of Educational Technologylisadawley@boisestate.edu

Why Game-Based Learning?

• Can provide a sense of achievement

• Engage students in “flow,” optimal zone for learning (challenge and skills)

• Learning happens naturally as a by-product of gameplay

• Fun must be the #1 criteria when choosing a game, then learning

• Choose games where the user can “change the world”

Strengths & Obstacles

Obstacles•Hard to integrate with curriculum•Hard to balance learning with fun elements•Difficult to fit in classroom time span•Teachers unready to use•Difficult to evaluate outcomes•Difficult to manage player’s learning history•Negative attitudes toward gaming

Strengths•Engaging, motivating, fun•Interactive•Contextual•Promote flow•Sense of achievement, success•Can provide opportunities for identity exploration•Construct knowledge through creation

Learn to Game

• Fun Brain

• Learning Games for Kids

• Learning Planet

• PBS Kids

Game to Learn• Zoombinis

• Quest Atlantis

• Conspiracy Code

• WoW in Schools

• Teen Second Life

• Strategy Games

• MovieStar Planet

• LittleBigPlanet