Video Games in the Classroom

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Video Games in the Classroom

• By Group 1
• Amy Comisiak,
• Trisha Bents,
• Mike Anderson,
• Julie Lyst

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Why Video Games?

• Teachers are interested in using video games as a
  way to capivate young students in a way that they
  cant.
• As a way to grasp their attention and reinforce
  taught subjects like Reading and Math.

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Kinds of Video Games

• Hand Held Games
• every child has their own
• Computer Games
• less expensive because not every child has to be
  at the device at the same time
• Virtual Reality
• Very interesting, but costly

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Chilean Classroom Case StudyA study was done in
Chilean classrooms (K through 2nd) to see how
efficient hand held video games would be

• Cost-Effectiveness
• In 2000 a benefit and cost-analysis was done to
  find that spending one dollar more on portable
  video game systems would provide a greater
  benefit to the students then spending that same
  dollar on teacher training.

• The Problem
• With the average 532 spent per year on each
  Chiliean student and 91 of that money going to
  teacher salaries the 50 Sugoi (the handheld
  video game tested) is just not attainable for the
  public school system.
• New technology is only good for approximately 5
  years- so then they would have to invest all over
  again.

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The US and LightspanA San Diego based company
(Lightspan) teamed up with Playstation to develop
software that could be used in the classroom as
well as be taken home

• Pros
• Children who used the programs, their scores had
  a dramatic jump in reading and math.
• Each student still has their own device.

• Cons
• It costs about 600 per student PER YEAR and that
  doesnt include the 92 Playstation system that
  may or may not have to be purchased (depending if
  the fmaily already has one)
• Due to low income families, the Playstation
  system was offered to be payed for.

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Computer Games

• Games on the PC seem way more effective then the
  previous mentioned options.
• On a PC every child has the opportunity to play
  the game but just not all at the same time.
• Though a little outdated now, games like
  Civilization I, II, and III, Oregon Trail and
  others are fairly inexpensive and still
  educational

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Brain AgeAn educational computer game released
in Japan and has sold more then 3 million copies.

• It involves different levels of thinking
  including Sudoku puzzles, Speed Reading and
  others.
• There is no guns or violence and at only 50 a
  piece it doesnt require a separate system
• For already selling 3 million copies, this sounds
  like a pretty cost effective and cost benefit
  game.

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Leap Frog

• Leap Frog is one of the more widely known
  educational video games out recently. They have
  a range of products like Explorer Guide and Mind
  Mania that range in prices.
• Leap Frog ranges in subjects from spelling to
  math to information about countries and cities
  around the world.
• They are interactive and dont allow the player
  to just memorize answers

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Virtual Reality

• Virtual Reality games are still very new. It
  allows a child to put on a pair of goggles and
  a glove and they are suddenly in the place they
  are learning about.
• For example, if they are learning about the
  Declaration of Independence, the virtual reality
  system would make them feel like they were
  actually in the actual room as it was being
  signed.
• Amazing technology but entirely too expensive.

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So Are They Really Effective?

• No true scientific research has been completed on
  the effectiveness of educational video games, all
  has been done on the marketing of them.
• Hopefully the more effective ones sell the most
• One thing is for sure-
• Educational video games will never be more
  effective than

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ACTIVE PLAY!!!

• Without a doubt active one-on-one play will never
  be taken over by any video game. A developing
  brain will always take to interpersonal
  relationships and could never develop the same
  with just a video game teaching them.

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Since These Games are Linked to kids- What Do
They Like?

• The title of a game really plays a difference.
  Lately games have been more fun sounding then
  before. The more fun the game sounds the more
  inclined the people are to use it.
• Kids like more 3D games but the most effective
  game is 3D WITH a mentor (or someone who knows
  what they are doing). It is the most beneficial
  way to play any of the video games.

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Training

• Training also has its costs.
• The video games themselves are expensive but
  someone also needs to be efficiently trained.
• The game alone will not be of help if no one
  knows or can teach the kids how to properly use it

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Overall

• Video games sound like a great idea.
• They act only as a reinforcer- not a lesson by
  itself.
• They can be educational, but the overall cost of
  them makes it out of reach for just about all
  schools.
• Video games turn out to be less cost effective
  then expected especially when training and
  technology maintainence are accounted for.

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Conclusion

• Everyone must pick a video game that is effective
  for them. Just because one is more expensive
  doesnt mean its going to work better for you.

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THE END