Games are one of the most popular forms of entertainment in today’s world. They have been around for centuries but continue to entertain audiences through different generations.
With so many people now playing games regularly, is there any correlation between games and online learning? What effect does playing video games have on your brain?
The answer may surprise you!
The role of games in learning has been around for a very long time. The use of games and simulations to teach content is not new. For example, the Army has been using games to train soldiers.
We are going to find how games and online learning relate. Let’s get started.
1. Why do we play games, and how does this relate to online learning
Different people play games for various reasons. Some might be purely to have fun, while others may enjoy the challenge it provides or the skills trained through game-play.
Players of online learning courses can also benefit from its design and content delivery format, demonstrating how traditional teaching methods don’t always apply in e-learning contexts.
The first benefit of games relates to the social component. Online learning courses may be more difficult for students who lack access to like-minded learners or a supportive environment.
This problem is solved in online gaming by allowing players worldwide to connect through their shared interest in playing the same game. This can make it easier for players to find the friends they need to get through challenging courses or challenging content.
This leads to another benefit of game-based learning: students are more likely to engage with material that interests them. There’s no better way for a student to be interested than if the subject relates directly to their own lives.
Games can provide context by allowing players to step into their character’s shoes, learning about themselves and others in the process.
Finally, games create an environment where students are more likely to learn through making mistakes rather than simply following instructions because there is no penalty for failure.
Gamers can restart a game whenever they like without any penalty. This makes it more likely for them to try new strategies and complete tasks that they find difficult, resulting in a more profound learning experience.
Thus it’s clear that online learning has the same benefits as games for e-learning students. It engages content delivery formats, social environments where players can connect around their shared interest of playing the game, subject matter that relates to the students’ own lives, and an environment where they can learn through making mistakes rather than simply following instructions.
2. How can games be used in an educational setting for learning purposes?
A lot of people are getting involved in video games for children these days. With so many different types of educational games, parents may not know which ones to choose or how they can be used as tools for learning purposes.
While many different options are available, it is essential to understand how they can be used in an educational setting.
One of the most common games that parents will buy for their children these days is Minecraft. This game has been popularized through its addictive nature and ability to allow players to imagine entire worlds with unlimited capabilities.
However, this game can also be used as a learning tool for children who may have trouble with certain subjects. For example, suppose a child is having difficulty understanding the properties of water and how it flows.
In that case, they could play Minecraft to explore these concepts, which would give them a hands-on experience instead of just reading about it in their science textbooks.
Jason, the founder of GameQuarium.com, says that by allowing players to explore these concepts, they would have a more meaningful experience with the subject matter and better understand it.
Another popular educational game that parents will buy for their children is Little Big Planet which allows players to create their games from scratch instead of just playing through pre-made ones.
This has been used as an educational tool for many years by teachers who feel that, because children can create these games themselves, they learn how things work and the logic behind them.
The internet has also created many resources that can be used as educational tools in video game form. For example, there is an online game called Solar System where players must build their solar system and then try to successfully launch space ships that can travel through it using the available resources.
This is similar to a project that would be done in class, and children who play this game will learn how these concepts work while having fun at the same time.
3. The benefits of using video games in education
Video games are a great way to learn, collaborate and have fun. To understand the benefits of using video games in education, it’s essential to look at them from three different angles: learning, collaboration, and social development.
Learning: Games teach skills that can be useful later on in life. For example, in the game League of Legends, players learn to make effective decisions under tight time constraints and work as a team with other people from different backgrounds while playing the multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game.
Collaboration: In games like Minecraft or Civilization V, students have opportunities for collaborative learning by working together toward shared goals.
Social Development: Video games can provide opportunities for students to interact and work with people outside of their age range or social group, which allows them to learn how to deal with others in different situations and environments.
The idea that games and digital learning are correlated is not a new one. The potential for cognitive enhancement through gaming has been discussed at length in academic journals.
If you’re looking to improve your business or increase revenue with online training solutions, it makes sense to consider whether incorporating game elements into what you offer could benefit you.
