video game in study

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Can video games really be educational?
More and more people are saying yes! Teachers, students and researchers are finding ways in which video games increase engagement AND learning. Check out the resources below to get started.
Articles & Research
Gaming Sites
Tools & Software
Gaming Related Books

 Federation of American Scientists
Published a year-long study on the use of video
games in education. Conclusion? Teachers need
to be using games as part of instruction
 Games/Parents/Teachers
A site by Marc Prensky dedicated to improving the
understanding of the positive things kids are
learning from video games
 Social Impact Games
The site‘s purpose is to unite projects, information,
and people in a single place and to be a catalyst for
ideas and innovation
 An Anatomy of Games
A paper that address the different components of
games in general and why playing games of any kind
is good for the brain
 How to Choose and Use Appropriate
      ComputerGames in the Classroom
Helps with the practical issues of using computer
and video games in the classroom and the potential
value they can bring to teaching and learning

Articles & Web Resources on Gaming
Before Every Child is Left Behind: How Epistemic Games Can Solve the Coming Crisis in Education
In epistemic games students learn facts and content in the context of innovative ways of thinking and working. They learn in a way that sticks, because they learn in the process of doing things that matter." (pdf)
Choosing Good Video Games for Your Kids
Nice article by the Media Awareness Network people with additional helpful links
Computer Games & Learning
Why talk about computer games and learning in the same breath? This article helps address that question
Computer Games in Education Project
This British government agency started doing research on gaming about three years ago
Dream Machines
As we play, we learn. And as we grow, our play gets more complicated. We add rules and goals. The result is something we call games
Effects of Video Games on Children: What Parents Need to Know
Entertainment Software Association
Facts & research
Games Based Learning Strategies
An interview with Kurt Squire, Ph.D , a University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher about how the principles behind learning a game can be used in academics
Harnessing the Power of Games in the Classroom (pdf)
An article from the online journal, InSight. Describes reasons why to use games and how to integrate them into instruction
Game Based Learning Library
Provides links to some resources on games-based learning - that is using games as part of a learning solution
Game Based Learning: How to Delight and Instruct in the 21st Century
Transcript of a conversation that documents the insights of five leading-edge thinkers in the field: James Paul Gee, J. C. Herz, Randy Hinrichs, Marc Prensky, and Ben Sawyer
Innovate‘s 2005 August / September Issue
Great articles that discuss the advantages and pitfalls of video games in the classroom!
The Learning Game - Researchers Study Video Gaming Principles that Apply to Education
Another interview with Gee
Game Research
This site attempts to bring together the art, science and business of computer games & gives an overview of research, news and development in the computer games area
Games & Education Research Network
Areas of research include games in schools; the relevance of games to curriculum; identifying learning strands; and support mechanisms for teachers
"Games Help Kids Pay Attention"
The first real evidence to support the use of special computer games to "train" their brains improved the ability of healthy children to pay attention
Game Studies
Game Studies is a cross-disciplinary journal dedicated to games research, web-published several times a year
How to Win a War
New York Magazine article talking about Making History sim
Learning by Design: Good Video Games as Learning Machines (pdf)
Nice article by James Paul Gee
Let the Games Begin!
Video games, once confiscated in class, are now a key teaching tool. If they‘re done right
Mission to Arabic: It‘s Not Your Father‘s Language Lab
This article describes the effort by USC to teach soldiers basic Arabic quickly
Muzzy Lane Software
The creators of "Making History" have complied some nice game research here
Playing to Learn: State of the Art Computer Games Go to School
An August 2005 Cable in the Classroom article (pdf)
Playtime in the Classroom
Can children really learn anything useful from computer games? Jim McClellan finds out
Reading, Writing & the Sims
What video games can teach educators about improving our schools
Research on Gaming
A series of research resources on gaming in education
Serious Gaming
A transcript of a NPR story concerning the use of games in Washington state
Tech Nation
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with John Beck, author of "Got Game". He warns that the "Gamer Generation" is about to enter the workforce -- and that means change
Video Games?
A transcript of an interview by the Chronicle of Higher Education with James Paul Gee, author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy
Video Games & Violence?
Results from the first long-term study of online videogame playing may be surprising
Video Games and Their Effects
An annotated bibliography of research that documents both positive and negative effects of video games
Video Games in the Classroom?
A collection of stories relating to the educational use of video games
Video Games in the Classroom
Same title, different article
The Video Game Revolution
Over the past 30 years, video games have become an integral part of our culture. Follow the journey of video games from university laboratories to our living rooms
Will Interactive
Will Interactive is the pioneer for a new genre of education media known as virtual experience immersive learning simulations including Hate Comes Home
"You Don‘t Have to Be a Gamer"
Nice article from David Warlick‘s Two Cent‘s Worth blog

Gaming Resources

Academic Gamers
A group blog hosting semi-serious discussion of video games and video game criticism
Children‘s Technology Review
A survey of interactive media products. The editors help by describing the products that are available from an educational perspective
Common Sense Media
A great site for finding and reviewing appropriate video games. Search by age, platform or title
Education Arcade
Represents a consortium that is exploring the new frontiers of educational media that have been opened by computer and video games
Gamer Dad
"Why do Kids Love Games? Are Games Harmful? You‘ll find the answers here. At GamerDad, we believe in Gaming with Children"
Games for Change
Provides resources in using digital games for social change
Game Learning
Devoted to providing free information and resources for teaching children how to make computer games
Games2Train
"Serious training in a game environment!"
Great Games Experiment
Social network site for gamers
Infocom
A definitive homepage to pay homage to the company that created some of the best computer games ever
JoyStick 101
A gaming blog with some interesting posts
Learning Games Initiative
The purpose is to examine games in order to better understand their cultural and pedagogical import
Mark Pensky‘s site
Writer, game designer and speaker. Lots of links and articles concerning gaming and learning
MetaCritic Games
Nice site for real reviews and ratings for tons of games
Moby Games
A great place to find info on tons of games, reviews and recent gaming news
Mr. MacKenty
Dedicated to the effective use of technology in schools, and games in education
Net Family News
A nonprofit public service providing "kid-tech news" for parents and educators
Serious Games Initiative
Focuses on uses for games in exploring management and leadership challenges facing the public sector
Silversprite
Examples of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) games being used for curriculum-based learning. By compiling these examples, we show that such games are being used in schools and colleges by teachers and other educators, as part of curriculum-based learning
SocialStudyGames
Site that documents / discusses the use of games in the Social Studies
Social Studies Software
Teacher Arcade
Meant for teachers who are interested in exploring the use of games in the classroom
Water Cooler Games
A forum for the uses of videogames in advertising, politics, education, and other everyday activities, outside the sphere of entertainment
Commercial Gaming Sites
Game Boomers
An adventure gaming website aimed primarily at the baby boomer generation. Reviews and previews are available, along with an impressive listing of walkthroughs, hints and solutions
GameSpot
One of the best sites to get video game info /reviews/demos/news
GameTap
Online gaming / very sweet!
GameSpy
Another site focusing on gaming
GamePro
Yes, another gaming site!
GameZone
Okay, last one! Another gaming site
Yahoo! Games
I lied, sorry. Here‘s Yahoo‘s version of a gaming site

Sample Games, Software & Tools

Some new online problem-solving, positive-impact type games for social studies classrooms are becoming available. TryTrading Around the World,Adventure Ecology,Village: Play the World,Dafur is Dying andGlobal Warming Interactive.
Active Worlds
Think you have what it takes to build your Virtual Reality game? This education section of Active Worlds is the place for you
America‘s Army
The US military uses constantly uses video games in its training. This site is designed as a recruiting tool and is one of the busiest sites on the Web
Club Penguin
A "fun, safe place" for young kids to experience 3-D worlds and interaction a la Second Life
Conqueror!
A turn-based, multiplayer strategy game that takes place on a map of medieval Europe. Play on the web against as many as 16 human or AI opponents
CyberOne
Harvard law school course being taught at Second Life (everyone‘s welcome to participate!)
Discover Babylon
Uses video gaming strategies and realistic digital environments to engage 8-14 year-olds in mysteries that can only be solved through developing an understanding of Mesopotamian society, business practices, and trade
DOFUS
A massive multi-player game halfway between a tactical video game and an interactive cartoon
Fantasy Congress
Gives you the power to draft and manage a team of members from the U.S. Congress
Food Force
A sim created by the United Nations to recreate their attempts to deliver food to disaster areas
FreeCiv
A version of the very popular Civilizations game, is a free turn-based multiplayer strategy game, in which each player becomes the leader of a civilization
Kongregate Games
A new social network for minigames
Making History
A great game for history classes. An example of what educational gaming looks like!
Miniclip
Online mini games
MMORPG.com
One of the better sites for investigating MMORPGs or Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games
Online Gaming League
Get an idea of the kinds of games being played online
Online Games
Online games that offer a "good experience" - good game design with an overall attention to quality
Pax Warrior
Weaves the tragic story of the UN experience in Rwanda placing the user, first person, in the shoes of a UN Commander trying to maintain peace
Real Lives
A unique, interactive life sim that enables you to live one of billions of lives in any country in the world
RuneScape
3-D world to explore / free and very cool!
Sandlot Games
An example of the type of games available for younger kids. Westward is especially good!
Second Life
A 3D world in which you can interact with others, buy and sell, create new worlds, the list is endless. SecondLife also comes ina "safe" teen version / Check out this info on a virtualSecondLife library! /Another SL library suitable for educational use / TheGlobal Kids Online Initiative is also in SL. Other SL stuff?Second Life Education,Second Life Listserve,Second Look at Second Life (A nice article with extra resources & ideas of using SL in schools)
SimSchool
A simulation that recreates the teaching experience for pre-service teachers
Sim Teach
Social Impact Games
The goal of this site is to catalog the growing number of video and computer games whose primary purpose is something other than to entertain. These are also known as "serious games"
SpaceStationSim
Puts you in charge of creating the greatest wonder of the modern world, the International Space Station
StageCoach Island
A great game to teach econ! Use the Second Life interface and requires Windows
Virtual Knowledge
A leading publisher of HS / MS simulations like Ancient Egypt, Settling America & Virtual Sports Business
Virtual U
To help college staff "learn" their jobs, a group of designers created Virtual U, a piece of software that simulates running a university or college. Players act as president of a university or college and struggle to manage the institution‘s affairs
Game Creation Tools
Star Logo
Game creation software (free version /  PC)
Game Maker
Game creation software (free version / full version / PC)
StageCast
Game creation software (free demo / Mac / PC)
Power Game Factory
Game creation software (free / Mac)
SchoolGameMaker
A site about programming at school
Video Game Development
Amanda Hefner of Dessau Middle School in Pflugerville, TX maintains this tutorial page for game development

Books

50 Books for Everyone in the Gaming Industry
Nice list if you‘re serious (and maybe not serious!) about learning more about games & gaming
Aldrich, Clark.Simulations and the Future of Learning
Aldrich, Clark.Games And Simulations in Online Learning: Research And Development Frameworks
Anderson, Craig.Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy
Beck, John C. and Mitchell Wade. Got Game: How the Gamer Generation is Reshaping Business Forever
Dubenitz, Joel.The Physical and Emotional Experience of Violence in Video Games
Egeler, Daniel.Mentoring Millennials: Shaping the Next Hero Generation
Gee, James Paul.What Video Games Have To Teach Us About Learning and Literacy
Gee, James Paul.Why Video Games Are Good for Your Soul
Gopnick, Alison, Andrew N. Meltzoff, and Patricia K. Kuhl. The Scientist in the Crib: Minds, Brains, and How Children Learn
Herz, J. C. Joystick Nation: How Videogames Ate Our Quarters, Won Our Hearts and Rewired Our Minds
Howe, Neil and William Strauss.Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation
Johnson, Steven.Everything Bad is Good For You: How Today‘s Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter
Johnson, Steven.Mind Wide Open
Loftus, Geoffrey, and Elizabeth R. Loftus.Mind at Play: The Psychology of Video Games
Prensky, Marc.Digital Game-Based Learning
Prensky, Marc.Don‘t Bother Me, Mom - I‘m Learning!
Schank, Roger.Virtual Learning
Stoll, Clifford.High Tech Heretic: Why Computers Don‘t Belong in the Classroom and Other Reflections by a Computer Contrarian
Tapscott, Don.Growing Up Digital: The Rise of the Net Generation
Vorderer, Peter.Playing Video Games: Motives, Responses, and Consequences

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