"Tabula Digita Debuts Free Science Game," by David Nagel, T.H.E. Journal, 1 July 2009.
Tabula Digita, the maker of educational software such as the immersive 3D math game DimensionM, has introduced its first educational science game, The League of Scientists. The League of Scientists is an immersive 2D game developed in conjunction with the ISTE Monsanto Fund. The game is comprised of four interactive games where students create avatars to answer questions, solve puzzles, and defeat opponents in the areas of biology, geology, and astronomy. The game is being offered for free use by students in grades 3-5. The maker of the game feels it will assist in supplementing learning inside and outside the classroom by engaging students using an interactive gaming system.
Question 1: Are "video games" a good technology tool to be used to enhance and supplement learning and development in education?
Answer 1: While I feel that video games can in no way replace the use of standard lessons in education, I feel that video games when used in an educational sense are a good use of technology to engage children in new activities. When used in small doses, video games can be a fun way for children to learn information already taught in a classroom setting.
Question 2: Are there subject areas other than science where video games can be used for educational purposes?
Answer 2: Definitely! If created properly with the main intent of using the games for educational purposes, video games can be used for reading and language skills, math, history, social studies, social skills, and home economics. There is no limit of how video games can be used for educational purposes or to create a fun environment where children can learn or enhance their knowledge.
Tabula Digita, the maker of educational software such as the immersive 3D math game DimensionM, has introduced its first educational science game, The League of Scientists. The League of Scientists is an immersive 2D game developed in conjunction with the ISTE Monsanto Fund. The game is comprised of four interactive games where students create avatars to answer questions, solve puzzles, and defeat opponents in the areas of biology, geology, and astronomy. The game is being offered for free use by students in grades 3-5. The maker of the game feels it will assist in supplementing learning inside and outside the classroom by engaging students using an interactive gaming system.
Question 1: Are "video games" a good technology tool to be used to enhance and supplement learning and development in education?
Answer 1: While I feel that video games can in no way replace the use of standard lessons in education, I feel that video games when used in an educational sense are a good use of technology to engage children in new activities. When used in small doses, video games can be a fun way for children to learn information already taught in a classroom setting.
Question 2: Are there subject areas other than science where video games can be used for educational purposes?
Answer 2: Definitely! If created properly with the main intent of using the games for educational purposes, video games can be used for reading and language skills, math, history, social studies, social skills, and home economics. There is no limit of how video games can be used for educational purposes or to create a fun environment where children can learn or enhance their knowledge.
There are a lot of studies on the effectiveness of video games. The results are mixed. It is hard to come up with a clear answer as human learning is a very complex process.
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