U.S. Survey Finds Use of Digital Games Increasing in K-8 Classrooms

Playing games in school

Use of games by elementary and middle school teachers in the U.S. is on the rise, according to a short article on GOOD Magazine’s website that points to an interesting study that was just released:

About half of elementary and middle school teachers say they use digital games at least twice a week with students, while nearly 70 percent say that games help students who are struggling with reading and math and 60 percent say gaming helps them personalize their instruction and meet the needs of all students.

The study was undertaken by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, and full results are available on their website. One item that I found particularly interesting concerns barriers to implementing games in the K-8 classroom:

The number one obstacle teachers cited to integrating digital games into the classroom is cost. The second most reported obstacles cited in the survey are lack of access to technology resources and emphasis on standardized test preparation.

Hat tip@tiltfactor; photo credit Judy Baxter

Game Day

Join the CUNY Games Network on Wednesday May 16th for a full day (10am to 4pm) of game presentations and casual board and card game play. At 10:30am there will be a special preview of College Quest, a new game-based learning management system and academic social network (designed for BMCC). Lunch will be provided.

Location:

*CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

*CETLS S501B (5th Floor. Enter the library and walk to your left. The room will be on your right.)

Directions to BMCC:
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich St and West St)
*You’ll need a picture ID to enter the building.

How Online Gaming Can Teach Kids About the Economy

There are numerous educational games designed to teach children about various financial practices. For example, there is the education-based economics simulator, Beat the Market Online or the World Game of Economics simulator that teaches about exchange rates and economic policies between countries.

These games do have value, but they often miss the opportunity to provide real, hands-on experience with the marketplace because they do not foster free trading between real players. More importantly, most students will recognize them immediately for what they are: educational tools. While some kids are willing to learn in this way, many balk at the notion of an educational game because it feels too much like homework.

The most valuable tool is actually more nuanced, and lies within games that children are already interested in playing. Sites like Neopets or Gaia Online attract millions of users of all ages, and popular multi-player online games like World of Warcraft have a massive draw for kids and adults alike.

via How Online Gaming Can Teach Kids About the Economy – Forbes.

building CUNY Communities since 2009