Games in Education
Games can be categorized into three main groups which all connect with learning (Koskinen et al. 2014): (1) Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) games, (2) simulations, and (3) learning games. Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) games make excellent tools for addressing both content
based and higher-order learning outcomes (see Van Eck, 2009). Simulations are well used, too, for example in military training (see Vahtivuori-Hänninen, Lehtonen & Torkkeli, 2005). However, learning games are the most popular in schools.
Learning games have a long traditions in education especially in two game types: serious games – which are defined by their primary purpose other than pure entertainment – and instructive games – where you learn curricular content while you play games.
Vahtivuori-Hänninen, S., Lehtonen, M. & Torkkeli, M. (2005). Group Investigation, Social Simulations, and Games as Support for Network-Based Education. In H. Ruokamo, P. Hyvönen, M. Lehtonen & S. Tella (Eds.), Teaching–Studying–Learning (TSL) Processes and Mobile Technologies—Multi-, Inter- and Transdisciplinary (MIT) Research Approaches (123–131). Proceedings of the 12th International Network-Based Education (NBE) conference (Former PEG) 2005. September 14–17, 2005, Rovaniemi, Finland. University of Lapland. Publications in Education 11.
Van Eck, R. (2009). A guide to integrating COTS games into your classroom. In R.E. Ferdig (Ed.), Handbook of research on effective electronic gaming in education. Hershey, PA: Information Science, 179–199.
based and higher-order learning outcomes (see Van Eck, 2009). Simulations are well used, too, for example in military training (see Vahtivuori-Hänninen, Lehtonen & Torkkeli, 2005). However, learning games are the most popular in schools.
Learning games have a long traditions in education especially in two game types: serious games – which are defined by their primary purpose other than pure entertainment – and instructive games – where you learn curricular content while you play games.
Vahtivuori-Hänninen, S., Lehtonen, M. & Torkkeli, M. (2005). Group Investigation, Social Simulations, and Games as Support for Network-Based Education. In H. Ruokamo, P. Hyvönen, M. Lehtonen & S. Tella (Eds.), Teaching–Studying–Learning (TSL) Processes and Mobile Technologies—Multi-, Inter- and Transdisciplinary (MIT) Research Approaches (123–131). Proceedings of the 12th International Network-Based Education (NBE) conference (Former PEG) 2005. September 14–17, 2005, Rovaniemi, Finland. University of Lapland. Publications in Education 11.
Van Eck, R. (2009). A guide to integrating COTS games into your classroom. In R.E. Ferdig (Ed.), Handbook of research on effective electronic gaming in education. Hershey, PA: Information Science, 179–199.
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