Video Gaming: The Negative and Positive Impacts of Using Video Games to Teach.

How videogames impact development and learning abilities

It's important to have a balance between fun and educational activities during childhood. By going to nature parks, playing outdoor basketball, and hanging out with friends, you were able to combine physical activity with cognitive development. While playing video games can be fun and engaging, it is important to limit your time with them and replace them with other activities. Exploring different activities can help you improve your coordination, problem-solving skills, and overall brain development.

In this Case Study, I will examine the benefits and risks of playing video games in an educational setting. I will consider how gaming can interact with cognitive development and the potential consequences related to difficulty in self-regulation, addiction, and short-term attention. I will also examine how the games’ design, structure, and content can influence the educational value of a game, as well as the potential benefits of games for learning a subject. Ultimately, I will aim to propose possible strategies for incorporating video games into an educational setting in a productive and safe way. Reiser has mentioned many engagement strategies within Chapter 9 of Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. I will be analyzing how video games such as Human Fall Flat, Minecraft, and Roblox are beneficial to children and are used correctly within an educational setting.

Let's Start with the most important part of this own case study. The idea behind video games is beneficial to our youth and why this should be considered as part of a curriculum.

In the Ted Talk, Andre Thomas talks about how teaching our children is done through games and playing. He speaks about how when children get older they are put at desks in rows and they are expected to learn by just sitting at a desk. Andre mentions there are traditional teaching methods, but we have advanced in time. We do not learn the way we use to learn. He gives a few examples of effective video gaming teaching methods.

From the start, Gaming has been found to have an impact on cognitive development, particularly in the areas of self-regulation, addiction, and short-term attention. Several studies have shown that addictive gaming behaviors can lead to poor academic performance and declines in cognitive functions. (Alsaad et al., 2022) Furthermore, research suggests that gaming can also affect self-regulation abilities. However, these studies are based on circumstances.

“While we cannot say whether playing video games regularly caused superior neurocognitive performance, it is an encouraging finding, and one that we must continue to investigate in these children as they transition into adolescence and young adulthood,” said Bader Chaarani, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont and the lead author on the study. “Many parents today are concerned about the effects of video games on their children’s health and development, and as these games continue to proliferate among young people, it is crucial that we better understand both the positive and negative impact that such games may have.” (B Chaarani, 2022) To ensure that your child is reaping the educational benefits of video games while avoiding any potential risks, it is important to promote healthy gaming habits. This includes setting limits on the amount of time spent playing video games and being mindful of their content and age-appropriateness. It is also beneficial to ensure that they are also engaging in other educational activities such as nature walks, sports, and social outings. By creating a balanced approach to video gameplay, you can maximize the educational benefits while minimizing any potential risks. According to Reiser, Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology pg. 79, To design effective learning environments, or to develop holistic programs of human performance development, the instructional designer must understand and integrate all three of these components in relation to their influences on effort, performance, and satisfaction (Keller, 1983a, 2008b, 2010). Instructional design and technology can be used to create optimal learning experiences for education and gaming. By leveraging gaming mechanics, game designers can create games that are engaging, educational, and fun. Research suggests that well-designed video games can develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Additionally, they can also facilitate hands-on learning, as well as improve knowledge retention and transfer different types of content. (Benjamin Emihovich, 2020)

One study conducted by Shute, Ventura, and Ke in 2015 (Shute) found a positive association between gameplay and the improvement of problem-solving skills. This suggests that engaging in video games can potentially enhance one's ability to solve problems effectively. Furthermore, it is worth noting that playing video games, including violent shooter games, may also have benefits for children's learning, health, and social skills, according to a source. While this study (Shute)does not specifically mention problem-solving or critical-thinking skills, it suggests that video games can have a broader positive impact on various cognitive and social aspects.

What does Minecraft have to do with Learning Engagements?

Engagement strategies play a crucial role in creating an immersive and captivating experience for players in the Minecraft video game. With its open-ended and creative nature, Minecraft offers a wide range of opportunities for engagement.

Here are five effective strategies that can enhance players' engagement and make their Minecraft experience more enjoyable.

Firstly, integrating a progressive difficulty curve keeps players engaged by gradually increasing the challenge level over time. This strategy ensures that players are consistently motivated to explore the game and constantly strive for improvement. By presenting tasks and obstacles that are slightly more challenging than the previous ones, players are pushed to develop new strategies, think critically, and continuously learn and adapt. This strategy avoids creating a stagnant and predictable gameplay environment while keeping players invested in their Minecraft journey.

Reiser emphasizes the significance of challenging learners as an essential aspect of the process of education. Reiser suggests that challenging learners to think beyond their comfort zone not only stimulates their intellectual growth but also enhances their comprehension and retention of the subject matter.

Secondly, promoting player collaboration fosters engagement by encouraging cooperative gameplay. Minecraft provides a multiplayer feature that allows players to connect and interact with others in the game world. By collaborating with fellow players, individuals can share ideas, pool their creativity, and collectively work towards accomplishing shared goals. This strategy not only enhances engagement but also cultivates a sense of community and cooperation within the Minecraft player base. It nurtures teamwork and social interaction, making the game more enjoyable and stimulating.

Working as a team is an essential aspect of any successful endeavor, whether it’s in academics, professional settings, or personal relationships. Collaborating with others not only brings together different perspectives, knowledge, and skills but also fosters a supportive and productive environment. When individuals work in synergy, they can tackle complex problems, enhance overall creativity and innovation, and ultimately achieve greater outcomes. Effective teamwork relies on effective communication, active listening, and mutual respect, enabling participants to distribute tasks, share responsibilities, and contribute their strengths to the collective goal. By recognizing and leveraging the diverse talents of team members, a group can overcome challenges more efficiently and efficiently, leading to personal and collective growth.

Lastly, providing regular updates and new content helps maintain players' engagement by continuously adding fresh experiences and challenges. Developers can introduce new features, gameplay mechanics, blocks, items, and environments to keep the Minecraft experience dynamic and captivating. These updates can range from small additions to major expansions, offering players something to look forward to and explore. By regularly updating the game and addressing player feedback, developers can create an engaging and evolving Minecraft universe that keeps players committed and invested in the long run.

In conclusion, the implementation of effective engagement strategies is crucial in maximizing the enjoyment and immersive experience of Minecraft players. By integrating a progressive difficulty curve, promoting collaboration, and providing regular updates, Minecraft can ensure players' sustained engagement and foster a thriving gaming community. These strategies contribute to a more fulfilling and stimulating gameplay experience, appealing to the intelligence and comprehension of college students and other experienced video game enthusiasts. Playing video games can be a useful tool for instructors to engage students in learning. For instance, (Maduku, 2017) Additionally, incorporating gaming elements into the design of course materials can make them more exciting and engaging for students. Furthermore, instructors can use video game design principles to create experiences that can foster student autonomy and motivation. By incorporating video games deliberately into a lesson plan, instructors can create an effective and engaging learning experience for their students.

Comparing Personal Experience with These Concepts

I have 3 little boys, ages 8, 4, and 2, My oldest struggled in school because he had a Receptive and Expressive Language Delay (Disorder); it was very hard for him to focus, He developed a mild attention disorder, everything was online due to Covid19. He started kindergarten in 2020, which is when they started opening the schools back as long as everyone wore masks at all times. I started my son off online, and the teacher was applying fun interactive games, and other forms of media to teach young children the material. Things were not easy for my son, in fact, he was struggling so I had to just go against my precautions and send him to school physically. In the meantime, after school, I would set my son up on the Ipad, where he would play Owl and Pals Preschool Lessons, created by RosiMosi LLC.

However, that was when he was 5. Three years can really change a child's perspectives and you see them developing their own opinions, and their own likes, and dislikes as time changes. One thing that stays the same, of course, this is the addiction to playing video games. As a parent, I discourage playing video games all day. I have a set limit on how long any of my children get devices. By maintaining their devices, I am setting them up for success by maintaining the amount of time they spend on video games, and also monitoring the types of video games they invest their time in.

My oldest son is into playing Fortnite, although it is a shooting game, it's not as violent as other video games such as Call of Duty Black Ops, or something that is targeted more for adults. Although kids love to go for violent video games in my experience, I at least compromised with my son and allow him to play Fortnite.

What is Fortnite and what are the Engagement Strategies?

Fortnite, the immensely popular video game, has revolutionized the gaming industry with its engaging and immersive gameplay. However, what many may not realize is that Fortnite can also be an effective tool for learning and educational purposes. The game's strategic elements, teamwork requirements, and problem-solving challenges all contribute to valuable learning engagements, making it a potentially beneficial resource for college students.

First and foremost, Fortnite promotes strategic thinking and decision-making skills. Players must constantly assess their surroundings, devise plans, and make split-second decisions in order to navigate through the game successfully. This aspect of the game can translate into real-life scenarios, where college students often find themselves in situations requiring critical thinking and decision-making skills. By honing these abilities in Fortnite, students can apply them to their academic pursuits and future careers.

Additionally, Fortnite encourages teamwork and communication, offering valuable lessons in collaboration and cooperation. In order to succeed in the game, players must work together, share information, and coordinate their actions effectively. College students frequently participate in group projects and collaborative assignments, where communication and teamwork play crucial roles. Engaging with Fortnite can help foster these skills, enabling students not only to succeed academically but also to thrive in professional settings where collaboration is essential.

Lastly, Fortnite provides numerous problem-solving challenges that require quick thinking and adaptability. The game's dynamic environment, changing objectives, and time constraints demand players to analyze the situation, formulate strategies, and adjust their approach accordingly. College students face similar challenges in their academic pursuits, where they must find creative solutions to complex problems. Engaging with Fortnite can sharpen their problem-solving abilities, enabling them to approach challenges from different perspectives and find innovative solutions.

In conclusion, Fortnite offers a range of learning engagements that can benefit college students' intelligence and comprehension. From fostering strategic thinking and decision-making skills to promoting teamwork and communication, as well as enhancing problem-solving abilities, this game has the potential to provide students with valuable skills applicable to their academic and professional lives. As educators and institutions continue to explore innovative means of learning, incorporating Fortnite into educational settings could prove to be an effective and engaging tool for college students.

The Conclusion

By integrating the Learning Engagement Concepts for Playing Video Games into the classroom, teachers can curate a classroom experience that encourages collaborative, engaging, and productive learning. Collaborative gaming activities and rewards systems can help to foster a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement with the subject material. Providing personalized feedback can assist in increasing engagement, focus, and motivation for the students. By implementing these strategies, teachers can create a safe and exciting environment for students to learn the material while still having an enjoyable time.

Collaborative gaming activities and rewards systems have been found to be effective in fostering a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement with the subject material. Gamification combines these two motivations by using extrinsic rewards such as levels, points, and badges to improve engagement. By incorporating elements inspired by games into the classroom environment, gamification aims to increase motivation and engagement among students. The use of gamification has also been suggested as a partial solution to the decline in learners' motivation and engagement that the schooling system is facing today. When students participate in collaborative gaming activities, they can work together towards a common goal, which can enhance their sense of autonomy. This collaborative aspect allows students to take ownership of their learning and make decisions collectively, thus promoting a sense of autonomy and control over their learning experience. Furthermore, the incorporation of reward systems in gamification can help to motivate students. By earning points, levels, or badges, students receive immediate feedback and recognition for their efforts, which can boost their motivation to continue engaging with the subject material. The extrinsic rewards act as incentives for students to actively participate and strive for improvement. In addition to fostering autonomy and motivation, gamification also enhances engagement with the subject material. The use of game elements in the classroom environment makes learning more interactive and enjoyable for students. This increased engagement can lead to better retention of information and a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Overall, collaborative gaming activities and rewards systems have the potential to create a positive learning environment that promotes autonomy, motivation, and engagement with the subject material. By incorporating gamification techniques, educators can tap into students' intrinsic motivations and create a more dynamic and interactive learning experience. Following Reiser's advice can help educators integrate video games into an educational setting in an effective and safe way. By understanding and integrating the components of effort, performance, and satisfaction, instructional designers can create optimal learning experiences. Additionally, leveraging gaming mechanics and game design principles to create games that are engaging, educational, and fun is key to ensuring that students reap the educational benefits of video games. Finally, utilizing collaborative gaming activities and rewards systems can help foster a sense of autonomy, motivation, and engagement with the subject material. By following Reiser's strategies, instructors can create an effective, enjoyable, and safe learning experience for students.

References

Reiser, R. A., Dempsey, J. V. (20170110). Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology, 4th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf 10.3.3]. Retrieved from vbk://9780134237015

(Alsaad, 2022)Psychology research and behavior management. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8765604/ Alsawaier, R. S. (2018a, January 2). The effect of gamification on motivation and engagement. The International Journal of Information and Learning Technology. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJILT-02-2017-0009/full/html Emihovich, B., Roque, N., & Mason, J. (2020). Can video gameplay improve undergraduates’ problem-solving skills? International Journal of game-based learning. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8870796/ JA;, C. (n.d.). Development of emotion regulation in typically developing children. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34053680/ Studying gamiþ cation: The effect of rewards and incentives on motivation. (n.d.). https://www.classes.cs.uchicago.edu/archive/2019/fall/20900-1/lecs/GamificationChapter.pdf U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, April 20). Video gaming may be associated with better cognitive performance in children. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/video-gaming-may-be-associated-better-cognitive-performance-children