Articles in The Arcade Room

[29 Nov 2013 | Comments Off on Lemonade And Learning | 6,135 views]
Lemonade And Learning

The game Lemonade Stand demonstrates the application of several learning theories in its design. The game uses both text and images to provide prompts and information for the player, which exemplifies Paivio’s dual-coding theory. According to Paivio, there are two “modes” of representing information in long term memory – verbal, consisting of language expression, and imaginal, consisting of visual and spatial information (Schunk, 1999). LS utilizes both of these modes in its gameplay.
Another learning theory evident in Lemonade Stand is situated cognition. This theory explains that thinking and learning are affected …

[4 Nov 2012 | Comments Off on Oregon Trail: Educational Critique | 1,631 views]
Oregon Trail: Educational Critique

Ever wondered if the oldies-but-goodies would still work in the classroom today? Read my educational critique of Oregon Trail over at Edudemic.
Most of us have grown up playing computer games, and spending hours trying to beat a level (that dragon at the end of world 1-4 in Super Mario Bros still haunts my dreams) or gain a special skill that makes our character stronger (don’t forget to collect as many heart jars as you can for Link!).
Most of us also know that games can be educational, and can even be …