Videogames in

the Classroom
What I thought, and what I now think, about using videogames in
the classroom.

Prior Beliefs
Before this module, I definitely hadn't thought much
about using videogames in a classroom setting. I
never played videogames growing up, so it just wasn't
something I'd considered much. I felt like videogames
were entertaining for some people, but pretty useless
and lacking value in an educational setting.

What does the research say?

Despite my previous beliefs, research shows that there are
actually cognitive benefits of playing video games in a
classroom environment. One source states, "games have
been shown to improve attention, focus, and reaction time"
(Jordan Shapiro). Other sources agree, saying that
videogames can actually improve students' social
emotional skills, and that it helps prepare children for an
increasingly digital world.

What else?
Gabe Zichermann argues that video games make kids
smarter, because it requires them to multitask at a level we
hadn't seen before. He states that children must focus on short
and long term objectives, deal with interruptions,
communicate via voice and chat, and operate their character
all at the same time. An infographic from our module agreed
with this data, citing that students who play educational video
games are less likely to have attention problems in school.

In addition...
Another infographic within our module explained how even
games that don't seem super "educational", like Minecraft, can
be used in the classroom. The infographic listed reading and
literacy, learning to code, and talking about climate change as
just a few uses of Minecraft and other games.

Current beliefs
I now believe that video games have way more of a place in
classrooms than I thought before. Not only are they an engaging
and fun activity for all kinds of students, but they can also help both
with academic and functional skills. I am excited to incorporate
them further into my future classroom.

Created by Kianna Miller

Sources:

https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/36269/benefits-of-gaming-what-research-shows
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-01-22-educators-share-how-video-games-can-help-kids-
build-sel-skills/?
utm_campaign=EdSurgeSproutSocial&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=I
wAR0T9hLZeSz3T88vv37wsGE-zDzSGHt2gzoWaulPPhVU82k9e5cSyTwdkZc
https://wwu.instructure.com/courses/1505935/pages/how-games-make-kids-smarter?
module_item_id=14986663