So, are you game?

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Whilst browsing through Matthew's blog Learning Conversations I happened across a link to educator and self-confessed gamer Dawn Hallybone. Hallybone discusses the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits of gaming in the classroom in a conference for Learning without Frontiers.

Gaming in the learning context is fun, creative, exciting and challenging. The social nature of such technology has seen gaming become more than just a sedentary activity for students of the 21^st century. It allows communication, collaboration and experimentation in an engaging and motivational way.

Games consoles such as Nintendo D.S, Wii, Nintendogs and Mariokart satisfy cross-curricular outcomes in regard to communication, leadership, teamwork, literacy in the KLA’S of mathematics, economics, geography, PE and visual art in an environment conducive to increasing the interests and engagement level of today’s students.

Hallybone discusses the benefits of promoting reading amongst her students, as they beg and plead with her to  to read a book via electronic means. It is here the power of the learning being in the hands of the student is demonstrated...... powerful in regards to the motivation behind students as learners. As I still reel from the devastation of having my Donkey Kong confiscated in 1982, perhaps the teachers responsible for causing such trauma could have benefited from having such advice and technology at their fingertips?? Or perhaps they secretly loved Donkey Kong as much as I did?

Due to the increase of gaming technology, previously uninterested and unmotivated students have displayed improved attendance and grades due to the integration and immersion of such interactive technology within the learning environment. This aspect alone is enough to convince me of the benefits and power of gaming as a teaching tool! All students under the umbrella of Gardner’s multiple intelligence are catered for in this instance. Now that is a feat on its own!

As teachers of the gaming generation it “is essential to keep an open mind, and be willing, better yet – eager to try new things” (Abrash, M), so in an effort to adapt to this way of teaching, I leave you now as I dodge and weave the invaders of the 20^th century to upgrade from my GameBoy Colour to one, if not several of the options offered in 2011.

Wish me luck!

P.S Mario I do still love you, and I am sorry I could never get to the princess!