For this class assignment we took our game playing to
another level as we played Kingdom Rush collaboratively to discover additional benefits
of gaming in learning environments.
For me I found that my two sons were invaluable tutors,
patient and supportive helping to encourage and motivate me while providing
constant problem solving suggestions and reminders of where to look for additional
resources.
Having the support and encouragement of fellow classmates
helped to keep me going on the game when I felt I could go no farther. Commiserating over frustrations and
celebrating successes made developed a sense of community and the feeling that
I must work through my frustration as the rest of the community was as
well. When I had others checking on and
asking about my progress I felt the responsibility to try harder and not give
in so easily.
I am a person who does not like to fail and not knowing how to do something correctly can be very frustrating for me personally but with gaming it is different games are fun. Games create an environment in which it’s safe to fail and fun to collaborate.
Here are some interesting articles I found on the subject of collaborative gaming.
Dimension-U Article about online gaming platform and learning resource
Girls and Games: What's the Attraction "62 percent of gamers play with other people either in person or online, and 47 percent of all gamers are girl"
Games and Learning: Teaching as Designing - How video games teach
- First, they focus on well-ordered problems, not facts and information.
- Second, they give players good tools with which to solve the problems (including other players in multiplayer gaming and facts and information as tools) .
- Third they have clear goals, but, nonetheless, encourage players to rethink their goals from time to time.
- To see number 4 - 12 click on link above......
