The following is a description of learning: “[People] achieve a routinized, taken-for-granted mastery of certain
skills. Then [they are confronted] with a new problem … which forces [them] to
rethink their now taken-for-granted mastery and to integrate their old skills
with new ones. Then these new sorts of problems are practiced until a new
higher-order routinized, taken-for-granted mastery occurs. This cycle is
repeated … This cycle is the basis for producing expertise in any area.” Who
would have guessed that, in context, this description refers to playing video games?
(see here)
“Learning” has long been a phenomenon of interest to
cognitive scientists. However while myriad studies have been conducted and much
has been learned, the application of this information rarely manifests in
meaningful ways (ex. in schools or training seminars). It seems, though, that through
their intuitive and interactive nature, video games have mastered the art of
teaching both skills and knowledge.
Video games succeed because they teach players
skills and knowledge, and then immediately demand their use. How is this different
from classroom learning and homework problems? Unlike traditional schooling
strategies, video games create an interesting and submersive environment,
allowing players (“students”) to passively learn, practice as much or little as
they desire, and progress when they are ready, while simultaneously providing a degree of challenge. This individuality allows
players to tailor their experiences to fit their own style and personal skill level.
Most interestingly, good video games motivate
players to continue learning and constantly improve their skills. The creation
of online gaming, for example, has not only greatly extended the content and replayability
of video games, but also raised the skill-ceiling to astronomical levels.
Will the innovations of video games be used in the future of education? To some extent, they already are. Some games,
like Math Blaster, explicitly utilize academic content. Others, such as
Assassin’s Creed, weave fact with fantasy and provide a passive academic learning
experience. Even more games require the implicit usage of academic knowledge
and/or problem solving skills, from static calculations and data recollection (ex. Pokemon) to complex reactive decisions demanding real-time strategy (ex. Starcraft). Thus it seems the medium
of video games has much to contribute to the study of learning.
For a different but equally interesting real-word application of
video game knowledge, see here.
Very interesting. Especially the similarity between the definition of learning and video games. I always thought of the correlation between education and video games as a constructive one. The challenge, solving strategy, element of surprise, memorizing paths, and learning new things, all of these elements should be seen as training for better learning. Unfortunately, a lot of parents consider video games as something bad to teach to their children, because of the tendency to think that it will influence the children into poor grades in education by lacking the ability to focus on their studies, and become dependent on video games.
ReplyDeleteFor instance this article shows the negative potential of video games: http://www.education.com/reference/article/negative-potential-video-games/
See http://www.innovateonline.info/pdf/vol2_issue3/teachers'_perceptions_of_video_games-__mmogs_and_the_future_of_preservice_teacher_education.pdf for a wider study about the influence of video games.