Why is it that the words “video game” is still met by opposition by the education industry? I understand that violent games exist, but many schools already use software or online subscriptions to educational sites that use games as a learning tool. Games have fun and interesting graphics for visual learners, promote interaction through challenging scenarios for kinesthetic learners, and some even utilize speech and sound effects for auditory learners.

According to a national survey done by Pew Internet & American Life Project in 2008, 97% of kids ages 12 through 17 play video games (Irvine, 2008). With this high interest and the push to meet the needs of 21st century learners, game play and game development should be embraced as a tool that will engage and motivate students to learn and explore while they build the skills necessary to think critically and problem solve.

Resources:

Irvine, M. (2008, September 16). Survey: 97 Percent Of Children Play Video Games. Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/16/survey-97-percent-of-chil_n_126948.html