Can Video Games be used in the Classroom or to Address "Real World" Issues

It is no doubt that video games are extremely popular among the youth in America and some kids even seem addicted to "gaming." I notice this in some of my roommates at Luther. Video games are often looked at as a waste of time and "gamers" are thought of as apathetic, unmotivated, and lazy. Other people argue that video games glorify violence and even lead gamers to be more violent. I recently came across a few articles online that present more productive uses of gaming. I came across the first article on CNN and it discusses a new game that was developed to encourage gamers (and non-gamers I suppose) to become more connected with real world problems, specifically in Africa. The game is called Urgent Evoke. It encourages players to contemplate and discuss solutions to problems such as poverty and environmental degradation via blogs as well as physically work or volunteer to reduce the negative impacts of these problems or create strategies to prevent the perpetuation of these problems. Gamers then are given virtual money or points for their contributions/ideas to move on in the game. Supporters of the game think the blogs may help participants get internships, jobs, or grants for their ideas. The World Bank Organization even gave Urgent Evoke $500,000. The creator of this game, Jane McGonigal, really hopes people in Africa will be able to access this game, play it, and as a result feel empowered to battle their daunting local and regional problems. I was quite intrigued by the goals of this game and I think the methods may be effective. The simple fact that gaming does tend to be addictive will ensure that large amounts of time, effort, and hopefully thought will be put into this game. I am excited to see the impact of this game.

After reading this article, I began to think, has there been any or much push for video games to be used in the classroom in a similar manner? I remember playing games like Math Munchers and other so called educational games but I do not recall if they were very effective. I think games like Urgent Evoke may have more of a positive impact on students and the world than games like Math Munchers which really only teach kids skills. Urgent Evoke requires its participants to ponder and discuss real world issues. They are urged to act on, care and learn more about these issues because the more they understand or more they physically address such issues, the more points they receive and better chance they have of winning. I think students educating students about current global problems and teaching the skills needed to be effective problem solvers is more important than encouraging students to memorize their multiplication tables,

I googled radical topics in education and came across an article that pertained quite well to my questions in regards to schools and video games. It was a list of 10 new and innovative ideas in education. The list was interesting and included the idea that video games can be used in the classroom as educational tools as long as teachers are also involved to facilitate more profound reflection by asking questions before, during and, after the game is played. To answer the question that is provided in the title of my blog, I feel that video games can be used in a manner to promote education, to inform individuals about real world problems, encourage problem solving skills, and urge participants to take action. The possibilities here are quite intriguing and illustrates one more role that technology can play in education.

Links to articles:

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/01/evoke.game.africa.poverty/index.html

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7015