Digital+Games

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When people see the word "games" they automatically think entertainment instead of education. This is especially true when you add the word "digital" in front of games. Most parents picture their student perched on the couch with game controller in hand wasting precious hours and brain cells and wonder how any of that could be educational. As many teachers have probably heard, "We don't send our kids to school to play video games!" I can certainly understand their concern but there has been a great deal of advancement in the area of educational games that are both commercially available for purchase and those that are freely available to play online. Some, maybe even many, are not worth the money or time because they lack real educational value, but there are quite a few that do an admirable job of teaching and reinforcing skills by allowing students to problem solve, work collaboratively, conduct experiments, do research and much more. The links provided below are to games that are mostly online and free to use. They have //**not**// been extensively evaluated for their educational value but they at least provide some options to explore.

**Uses of Digital Games in Education**
Some digital games can be used much like the worksheets of the past in that they are good at helping to reinforce a concept through practice. Students can practice their addition skills by solving simple problems before the aliens invade the planet or steer a car around the race track by spelling words correctly. There are also a variety of simulations that provide students with the opportunity to try out different experiments, theories or ideas within real world contexts in order to learn more about a particular concept or subject matter.

Educational Benefits of Digital Games
When designed properly, digital games can provide students with helpful feedback and encouragement as they work through a particular task. This is like having an individual teacher for each child and can be very beneficial as it provides them with the instruction they need when they need it. As students progress, games can become more difficult and challenging to ensure that each student is always working at his/her individual level of ability. Many of the simulations shown below allow students to manipulate variables and visit locations (both geographic and historical) that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. This can be a very powerful motivator for students to learn and is a great way to engage them in the development of their own knowledge.

Specific Ideas for using Digital Games in a k-12 Setting
Click here to add or view a lesson plan or idea for using this technology in the classroom.

**Online Games**

 * [|Games for Change]has an extensive, and ever growing, list of games that are a combination of simulations, virtual worlds, problem solving and role playing games. Many are free but some do cost money and/or require software to be downloaded.
 * [|Interactive Math Activities], [|Eduplace], [|Funschool Kaboose] and [|Prongo]all have a variety of different games that allow students to practice skills in math, vocabulary, writing, spelling and more through interactive games and activities.
 * [|Dance Mat Typing] provides a fun and engaging way for kids to learn keyboarding skills. Once you get used to the accent of the main character you will be on your way!
 * [|The Lure of the Labyrinth] is a math adventure game designed for middle school math students and their teachers. It focuses on algebra and has a fairly complex series of steps for students to work through in order to save their lost pet and defend the world from monsters. Sounds like the perfect match for middle schoolers!

Simulations

 * [|Lewis & Clark Simulation] is a simulation of the famous explorers travels that could use for grades 4th and up.
 * Social Studies Central has a great collection of online simulations that can be used to teach social studies.
 * [|Cell Models]allows students to explore and manipulate cells in a variety of ways. It's perfect for middle school Science Benchmarks and a great website for visual learners.
 * [|Flight to Freedom]allows students to assume the identity of a well known historical figure such as Frederick Douglas or Harriet Tubman and try to escape north to freedom by using the Underground Railroad.
 * [|Frog Dissection]uses great visuals and is geared more towards high school level science. This is one possible alternative to conducting real dissections the classroom.
 * [|Educational Simulations]has a large list of simulations but many of the links don't work. It is still worth checking out, however.
 * [|Fruit Fly Simulation]allows students to select different genetic traits for the male and female fruit fly before they mate. Students can then see what kind of offspring are produced and learn about how different traits are passed along. Suggested use is for 8th grade and up.
 * [|Political Science Simulations]has a variety of different simulations geared toward helping kids learn about politics, government and international affairs.
 * [|The Education Arcade]has some interesting games but many of them are still in development so this is a site you may want to check out periodically to see what has been released.
 * [|Electro City] is similar to Sim City in that students get to be the Mayor of their own city and make decisions that will help or hurt their cities growth.
 * [|The Planet Green Game] is an interactive way for kids to learn about the environment and how they can reduce their impact on it.
 * Mission Planet Earth provides students with the opportunity to produce their own video similar to the popular Planet Earth series by leading several different expeditions to collect footage in different parts of the globe.
 * [|Volcano Explorer] allows the user to design and erupt a volcano to learn more about how volcanoes work.

**Other Relevant Sources of Information (Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, Discussion Forums etc.)**
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 * [|Future-Making Serious Games Blog] This blog looks at the use of games in education and the effort to create more serious and educational games geared towards supporting student learning.