The Use of Computer Simulations The Use of Computer Simulations

and Gaming to Enhance Learningand Gaming to Enhance Learning

Lindsay McElroy

Teaching with Technology

June 16, 2008

What is Computer Simulation and Gaming?

• “Learning by Doing” – students discover knowledge through exploration

• Simulation is the imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process

• The simulation game is when participants are provided

with a simulated environment in which to play. These games are intended to provide students with insight into

the process or event from the real world which is being simulated.

Advantages of Computer Simulation

and Gaming to Enhance Learning• New opportunities for learning

• Prepares our students to learn critical problem solving and decision

making skills necessary for the real world

• Encourages the development of social and cognitive skills

• Related to real-world and makes you feel like you are there

• Provokes interest and creative thinking

• Gives students immediate feedback

• Enhances better thinking and recalling skills

• Allows students to explore, model, and try out a variety of

strategies

• Good for tutoring, exploring and practicing skills, and attitude

change

Subjects that Computer Simulation

Works Best

Math

Physics

Language Arts

Guidelines for Using Gaming in the

Classroom

• The design of the simulations and games should be

sophisticated and challenging enough for students to be

cognitively engaged

• The content of the simulations and games should be

aligned with the standards and the curriculum in the

schools

• The logistics of the games should reflect classroom

realities and time constraints

• The feedback and assessments embedded in the games

should have measurable learning outcomes

Examples of Computer Simulations and

Gaming

• SimCity

• The Sims

• America’s Army

• Revolution

• River City

Why use Computer Simulations and Gaming?

When designed well computer

simulations and gaming can

facilitate student learning of:

•Specific domain knowledge of

concepts

•Cognitive skills such as:

•Pattern recognition

•Decision making

•Problem solving

In Conclusion…..

• Computer simulations and gaming are

more commonly used at the middle

school and high school level

• Gaming is a great teaching tool when

it is age appropriate and it follows the

guidelines for being used in the

classroom

• It is not widely used in all schools

because they need to begin creating

more games with a relationship

between educational needs and gaming

elements. Once this relationship is

understood it will allow them to

develop educational games that include

visualization and problem solving

Thank you for viewing my slideshow!!

Your critiques are welcome!

Have a great summer!!