Games in Education

Video games could play a very important role in the classroom if used properly. One study found games to improve students engagement and excitement level for learning in several areas including both letter sounds, etc. and mathematics. Students in today’s world are engaged through the use of multimedia and spend a great deal of time outside of the classroom working with video game programs if they are available to them at home. Knowing that technology is the key to our students’ futures it is crucial for us as educators to prepare students for their future jobs, including many that have yet to be discovered.
Using video games to fine tune students abilities to multi-task, problem solve, create, comprehend, analyze, etc. will keep them engaged in today’s classroom setting. Student’s are no longer interested in reading from a text book, but would be more engaged learning the same material through a simulated computer program. The use of technology would also allow teachers to challenge their students at an independent level, based on their skills without having to reinvent the wheel and create several versions of the same assignment.
Technology should be imbedded into today’s classroom curriculum. Rather than teach literature as a separate piece, why not incorporate the use of technology to make the learning of literature more interesting? With committed teachers and a supportive school system, etc. students could have a greater opportunity of learning the skills they will need for their future jobs and overall success.

Jen Maxfield