Guest post

How Video Games Enhance Learning

Most parents try to get their children to spend less time playing video games, seeing little value in games that simulate road races, police work, or even 100-year-old battles. As the technology has advanced and video games have become more ubiquitous, more educational games have been created for all age levels. Educators have even begun to incorporate video games into their lesson plans to present the information in a new way that connects with students. Advocates of using video games for learning tout the many benefits of the technology. Here are a few ways that video games can enhance learning, both in and out of the classroom:

Makes Learning Fun

The main appeal of video games is that they're fun. Students of all ages enjoy playing the games -- as well as some adults. Even games that are designed specifically to teach educational concepts are fun for students to play. Learning concepts in this way is fun for many students, and it encourages children to engage more actively with the material.

Multiple Assessments

Video games present several opportunities for learning assessments. Depending on the game and the concept being measured, learning can be assessed at the beginning of the game, in the middle, and at the end. Video games as so-called "steal-assessment technology" can include hidden measures of assessment. How well students perform on the game can be used to gage how well they understand the concepts. Progress and mastery throughout the game can indicate how well the concepts have been learned.

Helps Different Learners

Students learn in different ways. Some are kinesthetic learners and need to be physically active to make learning connections. Others are visual learners and thrive when concepts are illustrated for them. Video games can help these kinds of learners by presenting the material in a new way. Those with learning disabilities or problems with concentration, such as students with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), can also be stimulated with video games, making learning easier. Different types of games can reach different students in ways that traditional lessons cannot.

Customization for Individual Students

Video games can be designed or modified to meet the individual needs of students, matching their specific strengths and weaknesses. Game options can be adjusted for each individual player. For example, difficulty levels can be increased or decreased. In a word game, different parts of speech could be emphasized. In a math game, different concepts can be highlighted. Changing options can tailor the game experience to meet the needs of the student who is playing.

Meets Students' Interests

One of the best ways to engage students in the material is to present it to them in ways that meet their interests. Video games help accomplish this. Most students grew up playing video games at some point, and many continue to play them even through adulthood. Presenting educational material in a format that already interests them makes it easier for students to embrace the information and to engage with it.

In addition to helping students better learn classroom material, video games can teach a number of other skills, including teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving. Educational video games are a great way to enhance student learning because it makes learning fun, presents material in new ways for different types of learners, can be tailored to individual student needs, and offers educators multiple assessment tools. Choosing the right video games for the concepts to be taught is essential to finding success with this promising technology.

About the author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on state grants for college and african american scholarships and grants.