4 Using games-based learning in schools
Why should we consider using computer-based games in the classroom? One of the reasons put forward is that video games are very much part of younger people’s culture these days.
Familiarity is not, in itself, a justification for teaching and learning. However, if more emotional engagement with the subject-matter improves teaching and learning then that is a far better justification. The question still remains: how is ICT involved with this process other than just the use of gaming computers?
In the exemplar blogs below, such as Dawn Halleybone’s and the Consolarium’s, these activities lead to quantifiable outcomes and progression in certain subject areas, and that is a more specific reason still. We would refer you to those blogs for specific instances and research.
There are also many arguments for and against the culture of using games in the classroom. Many people will justify it, in that it can bring a truly cross-curricular focus and social hub (through the process of gaming) around learning. Bringing activities that are fun and engaging into the classroom to bind together disparate cross-curricular themes in a socially cohesive way is the aim. The idea is that if people are having fun, constructively socially engaged and involved then they will learn better...
In light of this, look at this Teachers TV video about the use of computer games [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] in the classroom.
Reflection
Do you think the use of computer video games is relevant to your practice? Look at the Teachers TV video above and study the activities and resources in the following section about games-based learning and games-making software. Then reflect on how this might inform your awareness of the use of video games in the classroom.
- How do you think your SLT will react to the use of games-based learning?
- Do you think there is a case for games-based learning in your institution?
- What games do your pupils play at home? Ask them about their use of games.
Use of games in ICT
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MtaMaAMr4kI
Watch the first of these two videos outlining Matt Lovegrove's use of games-making software. It shows his work with making games with pupils at Sonning Common primary school.
The second video is more to do with the teacher’s reflections on how he has used the games and gives a little more detail and insight into the planning process and outcomes.
Reflection
Although games-making software is not on the National Curriculum, if you view the TeachMeet video of the Skype conversation between Matt Lovegrove and Helen Caldwell he outlines many of the skillsets used in making games.
- Can you make a list of these skillsets and do you think they are transferable to other parts of the curriculum?
- Matt was using these activities as a ‘contextual hub’ for teaching and learning activities across the curriculum, where the school community was able to work across the curriculum and age group. Do you think you could establish similar processes in your school – if not what are the barriers? Would you want to – would they be consistent with the school's ethos?
- How would you use social activity based around games to extend teaching and learning in ICT? Would it involve explicit teaching of skills – where could you embed those learning outcomes in cross-curricular work?
Other games-based learning resources
Games-based Learning Exhibition/ Conference is an annual exhibition/conference based around games-based learning bringing together several practitioners on the subject.
Missionmaker is commercial software that enables you to make traditional first person adventure games.
This video interview with Donna Burton Wilcox tells how to use Missionmaker to make interactive games.
2simpleDIY is commercial software that can make simple Flash-based video games.
See also the Vital resource on Making Games with 2Simple DIY.
Blogs by educators who use games in their practice
Dawn Hallybone’s blog. Her presentation at MirandaMod contains a number of allied resources about the debate around games-based learning.
Consolarium blog, http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ ictineducation/ gamesbasedlearning/ index.asp
Ollie Bray's blog on how he uses ‘Guitar Hero’ as a transition project, http://olliebray.typepad.com/ olliebraycom/ guitar_hero/
and specifically his blog entry on planning:
http://olliebray.typepad.com/ olliebraycom/ 2009/ 12/ k12online09.html
Some of the ICT elements contained in the planning are:
- podcast a concert
- design T-shirts/merchandise for battle of the bands – monitor how they sold
- make a pop/rock video/poster
- design a guitar using a CAD package
- make a CD (MP3 files of music).
The video of his presentation to Naace on games-based learning is available and gives more information about contextual hubs.
Background reading on gaming and education
Gee, J. (2004) What Videogames Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, New York, Palgrave Publishing.
3 Teaching ICT at KS2 in other contexts – simulations