New Generation Learners and Video Games

The George Lucas Educational Foundation publishes an excellent website and magazine devoted to educational reform. Their October 2006 issue focuses on the new generation of learners and how they will radically change the way we teach. Not surprisingly video games will play a prominent role.

In the article titled Let the Game Begin, Jenn Shreve examines the traditional ideas of how videogames can reach unmotivated students and also challenge gifted students. Beyond that she documents a do it yourself approach to gaming in the classroom in which students in tandem with teachers design games as a way to both reinforce content and thinking skills. Also touted as a another tool for teachers are “serious games” such as the Harvard designed River City and Making History produced by Muzzy Lane. While video games will never replace instruction they will serve a more prominent role in the future classroom.