What is it?

Electronic gaming is the use of consoles, computers, and electronic handheld devices to play games, generally referred to as video games.  There are multiple types of games, such as role playing games, real time strategy, first person shooter, racing games, puzzles, massive multiplayer online, and more.  Games cover a wide variety of topics, from combat simulation to exploring alien worlds.

Uses as an instructional technology

As an immersive learning experience

Electronic gaming can now be part of the educational experience. In addition to some games such as Rise of Nations providing brief histories of western civilization, more and more games focus on learning aspects – such as language assistance, mathematical skills, and trivia.

One such example, albiet for Jr. High, comes from the Sydney Morning Herald:

“The Nintendo DS isn’t just fun and games anymore for English students at Tokyo’s Joshi Gakuen all-girls junior high school. The portable video game console is now being used as a key teaching tool, breaking with traditional Japanese academic methods.

A giggly class of 32 seventh-graders used plastic pens to spell words like “hamburger” and “cola” on the touch panel screen – the key feature of the hit console – following an electronic voice from the machine.

It’s a sort of high-tech spelling bee. When the students got the spelling right, the word “good” popped up on the screen, and the student went on to the next exercise. The first five students to complete the drills were awarded colorful stickers.”

Article “School Wants Students to Play Video Games in Class” available at www.smh.com.au.