Question: Does the use of models and simulations in a game help students engage more to explore complex systems and issues?
Since I teach history, most of my fellow professionals are by nature somewhat technophobic, and therefore don't realize the enormous benefit we could reap from including technology, especially video games, in our teaching. One reading from this week's material opened my eyes to the potential of using games to help students "buy in" to learning, and explore more readily. The article referenced the use of Minecraft as an educational tool (Tromba 2013). The author manages to convince administrators to let him create an entire class based around Minecraft, and he then uses it to teach important skills like persuasive writing. He also worked with other teachers to include subject matter from various classes. He cites an instance where Minecraft was used to allow students to explore the concept of pyramids, for history class (Tromba 2013).
Minecraft Pyramid Example Image
Clearly there are a multitude of educational applications for this game alone. And there are other games in existence that use historical bases as well, which could be leveraged for learning. Europa Universalis, for example, is a historically accurate (to a point) turn-based combat game which students could play through and learn geography, the progression of Empires, etc. The ever-popular Assassin's Creed is loosely based around historical events, and could at least be used to help keep student attention.
Tromba also notes that the use of something kids find fun on their own time - video games - leads to higher engagement levels, and therefore more academically successful students (2013). I think that this is most applicable in a graphics design course, but that it clearly has uses in all classes. I feel that the use of digital gaming should be embraced in education, because it has so much potential to teach and to pull in students who might otherwise disengage.
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