Protected: Computer games in the

classroom?
August 8, 2018

Over 200 schools in the United Kingdom are using Minecraft and other
computer games in the classroom.

Well, that’s a problem. Clearly, not enough teachers have thought this
through, and there are many children whose education is suffering as a
consequence.

But who’s suffering? The children who don’t get the benefit of playing
games!
Think about it. In textbooks and on worksheets there are puzzles and
problem-solving activities. How is that different from what happens on a
computer screen? In maths, science, language lessons or social studies,
students learn new things and then use that knowledge to solve problems
or to apply it – whether that’s in a puzzle, or maths problem, a story or a
debate or argument.

That’s exactly what happens every time you play a computer game.
Computer games are brilliant examples of how problem-solving, story-
telling and incentives for gaining new knowledge are all rolled into one. And
there should be more of them used in the classroom.

What better way to get students to develop their skills than to make it fun
and entertaining?

After all, most teachers use games from Mathletics or other websites
designed for educational purposes. Minecraft, and other similar games,
involve far more complex skills – not just maths – in order for players to be
successful at them. To complete a computer game, or make significant
progress in something like Minecraft, players need to use a range of
complex skills – things like strategy, planning, construction, elements of
computer programming, creativity, fantasy and so on. Skills like this are
very difficult to teach in traditional ways.

We live in a time period where computer technology is part and parcel of

every aspect of our lives. The lines between what is computer-based and
what isn’t is increasingly blurred. So, all aspects of technology must be
harnessed – and taught well – in the classroom, in order that students
understand the benefits and gain the most from it.

Of course, teachers need to be careful that computer games they choose

are age-appropriate. But let’s get rid of the old-fashioned view that games
are games and learning is learning.
This is the 21st century. Learning and games can happen at the same time.

Article written by Ben Egerton

Critical Thinking Challenges:

1. Think about a computer game you enjoy playing.-I enjoy playing math
games on phones and computers What skills do you need in order to
complete it or be successful at it? We need math skills to be successful
in it.

2. How do computer game designers make games fun to play? Game

designers make games fun to play by using their skills by developing
games and they are using their experiences to create fun games. Why
do you keep playing them? We keep playing them because it is fun.

Practical Tasks:

Imagine there was no technology at all in your classroom. What would it

look like? When there is no technology in your classroom, it is dark,
cold, you can’t charge your devices, and you don’t have
chromebooks. Because lights, heater and devices are technologies
too. What learning would take place? If there is no technology, you can’t
have a free time on your device. What learning wouldn’t take place?
When you have no technology in your classroom, learning will be
possible, you can still have writing, reading, and maths but this will
be harder

Is there a distinction between games and learning? It depends what

games are those. Games like minecraft, roblox, does not benefit your
learning, but games like math games, and other educational games
benefits it.