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This article by Katie Ash points out the advantages of using video games and simulations in science class. Although, as Ash points out, there is not a great body of research that supports the premise that video games will help students learn science better than textbooks, I don't think any teacher needs to ponder the idea that most students possess a high interest level for playing video games. These types of games are very motivating for the students, and also tend to provide immediate feedback. Now, many may say that we want students to spend less time on video games, but the plain fact is that Nintendo DS is here to stay (at least until it becomes outdated and replaced with a more sophisticated game-playing device) and we teachers need to learn to co-exist with it, not aspire to eradicate it from our students' lives!
In addition to the motivation factor, video games and simulations can make abstract concepts more concrete for the student. Ash mentions some examples of topics, such as photosynthesis and electricity, that can be simulated in a video game, leading to greater student understanding. According to Ash, many developers are working on software and web-based applications targeted at specific grade levels and topics. I think this is a great way to teach concepts to the students. I often use web resources to help teach my science lessons, and the students do tend to find theses activities very motivating--mush more so than answering questions at the end of the chapter in the textbook!
This isn't to say that we should do away with the textbook, but I believe a "good" science class would have a mix of textbook and other print resources; hands-on, project based activities; and video games and simulations. As we all know, using a variety of teaching methods reaches a variety of students more effectively.
The complete article, "Programming Digital Fun Into Science," by Katie Ash, published online on June 15, 2011, can be viewed at: http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2011/06/15/03science.h04.html?tkn=OSSF%2FawVa7CepD%2FRv0pRoRQwnAT%2BixsNsPMv&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2
I completely agree. I myself have four different video game consoles in my house and no, I don't have any children. Video games would be a great way to motivate students to want to learn about some of the more abstract ideas in science. I will be interested to see if more games become geared towards education.
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