Brain Based Learning

I was recently asked to describe game based learning, and how it differs from traditional learning. I think there a few key concepts that help explain this.

What is game based learning?

Game based learning is really any learning that involves using games – giving student points, or candy, when they answer questions correctly can be considered a game to enhance learning. I think it’s useful to think about the two different aspects of games in learning: you have the motivational aspect, or “fun factor,” which can wear off pretty quickly, and the learning aspect – when a game actually enhances learning. This can be understood using a theory called Situated Learning Theory, which talks about where learning is situated in the environment in which it will ultimately be used.

I’ll give you an example of that. I recently read an article that described game based learning in a math class, and the kids were playing a game called “Treasure Hunt” – where they had to map X and Y coordinates in order to find a treasure, in the game. Because the problems the students had to solve were based in the game world, it provided a context for the learning that made it more meaningful. So in this case, students actually learned the material better than if they had just attended a lecture and then been given some problems to solve on a worksheet.

What kind of learning games are there?

There are two basic categories when it comes to learning and game design. The first is a concept called exogenous fantasy, where the game story is thematically separate from the learning. We’re all familiar with this type of game, this is where you create a Jeopardy-like game, for a test, or review, for your class, and once you develop the game framework you can insert any content and the game doesn’t change. This works with tic-tac-toe, hangman, many game styles that we’re familiar with.

The other category is endogenous fantasy – this is where the learning basically comes out of the gameplay itself. In Treasure Hunt, for example, students aren’t solving problems for the sake of class, they want to beat the game. As long as they’re enjoying playing the game, it’s irrelevant to them whether or not they’re learning. But they have to learn, in order to beat the game. This is found in games like Oregon Trail, or Roller Coaster Tycoon.

So it sounds like games are a great motivator

It’s kind of like meeting a bully in the hallway who says, “I’ll let you pass if you give me your lunch money.” It’s not something you want to do for it’s own sake, but you need to do it in order to be allowed to pass to go to the bathroom. You don’t feel good about what you did. On the other hand, if your friend tells you he has the latest sports illustrated magazine, and he’s done with it, and will sell it to you for the exact amount of money you have put away to buy lunch, if you want that magazine you’re going to gladly fork over that money and skip lunch. No one has to force you to do it, the motivation is intrinsic. Edutainment should be designed the same way – it’s not the “icing” that teachers put on learning to make it more palatable, it should show students why the learning can be relevant and fun on it’s own.

How can parents utilize game learning at home?

Well, you can ask yourself what the purpose is of a particular playtime. Kids do need time to rest, and learning doesn’t have to happen all the time, so it’s OK to sometimes choose a game that they can play just for fun. But there are times when we need something more productive for our kids to do, and parents can use this information about different types of games to be a little more critical, more analytical, about what their kids are playing. It’s about finding the right balance.

Can games substitute traditional frontal learning?

No, but I think they’re a very good supplement. Games are a tool that parents and teachers can use to improve learning, when used appropriately. There are some things that are just easier to teach with a lecture, like explaining how to do a certain math problem. But practicing that math problem in context, or learning about guilds in the middle ages, these are things that can be learned very well through gameplay. So it’s really about using the right tool for the right job, but it’s important not to discount games as a learning tool just because we might not be used to the idea.

What are some examples of educational websites parents can use with their kids?

Almost any game can be educational, if used in the right context. But there are sites of course that are designed to teach using games. Some examples are Academicskillbuilders.com, Freeerice.com, Edheads.com, Whyville.org, and Dino Quest – dqonline.org. Any of these can be used at home, and you can use it as an example to play along with your kids and talk to them about what they’re learning.

Tags: digital games, endogenous fantasy, exogenous fantasy, games and learning, GBL, intrinsic motivation, learning from games, learning theories, Oregon Trail, pedagogy in games, Roller Coaster Tycoon, Software for Kids