Games and education

1
Games and education

• the ultimate learning tool?

2
(Futurelab

• Learning research organisation
• Based in Bristol, UK)

3
(What we do

• How can technology support learning?
• Research with educators
• Development of prototype tools
• Communicating evidence and ideas
• http//futurelab.org.uk/about_us/ )

4
Games Futurelab

• Publications
• http//www.futurelab.org.uk/research/
• Protoypes
• Newtoons, Racing Academy,
• Teaching with Games
• bringing COTS games into schools

5
Not what we mean

• http//xkcd.com/c188.html

6
Three approaches

• Using COTS games
• a context for standard teaching, or a simulation
• Creating games
• fostering game literacy
• Serious games
• commercial games designed to teach

7
Two themes

• Games as cultural objects
• existing within social practice
• No magic learning dust
• (cf. Philosophers Stone, perpetual motion, cold
  fusion, etc.)

8
Two hard questions

• Does the freedom of online gameplay conflict with
  teachers need to control learners activities?
• What exactly is the link between play and
  learning, anyway?