"Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth."
Will Rogers.
Will Rogers.
Is gaming the future of education? Can you imagine a student spending the amount of time on a academic or career and technical education subject they currently spend on a popular video game such as Call of Duty? Imagine the hours/days/weeks spent in trial and error, it learning the different maps and strategies involved in each level of the game, just think of the higher order thinking skills involved in this complex, tedious and heart pounding exercise. Why do they do it? Because it is fun, challenging and there is a clear objective at the end they wish to achieve.
In the 2011 Horizon Report, http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2011-Horizon-Report.pdf 6 technological trends of potential importance were examined. As the report acknowledges, there are a great many technology trends fighting for their place in the brave new world, some will make it, some won't. The report attempts to identify by scientific method and input from many sources those most likely to succeed and most importantly have dramatic impact on the way technology effects our world. Out of this years 6 emerging trends I believe game based learning has the greatest potential for educators in the near term. While AR is an exciting trend, I believe it will be difficult to see its true potential in K-12 schools which have limited space on campus in which to utilize the real power of the technology. Game based learning offers the hope that we can engage our students in a new manner that draws them into the experience rather than alienating them from it.
Game based learning has received a great boost from the consumer market and the research that has been conducted for the purpose of discovering why games appeal different ages and sexes and how we respond to different interface components. Also the vast array of MMO games that have appeared in the last few years with ever increasing complexity requiring even stronger problem solving skills is truly astounding. I must confess a slight addition to an online racing game called Blur myself.
Our goal for the future must be to speak in the language of our students , as digital natives they expect interaction with technology. This is their touchstone. If we can successfully integrate educational content into learning games we will be assured of having our students full attention and engagement. Problem solving, group cooperation, goal directed action are but a few of the higher order thinking skills MMO's offer the educational establishment.
The question we must as educators ask is do we have game?
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