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Educational video game facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
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A VTech educational video game

An educational video game is a video game that helps you learn or train. These games mix fun with learning. They are sometimes called "edutainment." This means they are mostly for entertainment but also teach you things. These games usually don't follow school lessons exactly. They also don't always have special education experts helping to make them.

Educational video games are very helpful in schools. Teachers use them to teach important lessons, reading, and new skills. When learning feels like a game, students become more active. They also develop tech skills needed for school and future jobs. Studies show that video games can help kids grow their thinking and emotional skills. These skills can help them do better in school. Because of this, many teachers now use educational video games in their classes.

What Are Educational Video Games?

Educational video games can be grouped into two main types:

  • Edutainment games teach subjects in a step-by-step way. They add fun game parts around the learning.
  • Educational video games encourage creative thinking and solving problems. They let you interact more freely. These games often have many paths to explore.

Most educational games are made for schools or home learning. But some regular video games also help you learn. For example, strategy games about history, like the Total War series or Age of Empires. Even Civilization has an in-game encyclopedia. These games teach you without saying they are educational. They were made for older kids or adults. They let players explore different social, historical, and economic ideas.

Here are some examples:

  • City-building games like SimCity and Caesar (from 1993 to 2006). These games let players learn about managing a city. They cover social, practical, and money-related parts.
  • Empire-building games like Civilization (from 1991 to 2013) and Europa Universalis (from 2000 to 2014). These teach about history, politics, money, and military strategies.
  • Railroad management games like Railroad Tycoon (from 1990 to 2003) and Rails Across America (2001). They show the history, engineering, and money side of running railroads.
  • Geography games like PlaceSpotting (from 2008 to 2009) and GeoGuessr. These help players find places on Earth using clues.
  • Physics games like Quantum Moves and A Slower Speed of Light. They help you understand complex physics ideas. These include quantum mechanics and special relativity.
  • Geometry games with non-Euclidean geometry, like HyperRogue and Hyperbolica. They help you understand different kinds of spaces. These include hyperbolic and spherical spaces.
  • Trading games like The Patrician. These challenge players to build a trading empire. You manage buying, making, moving, and selling goods.

These games have been well-received in education. They are often mentioned in academic papers.

A newer type of game started with Bot Colony (2013). This game lets you practice English by talking to smart robots. It's part of an adventure game.

How Educational Games Are Designed

Many educational games came out in the mid-1990s. They were mostly for teaching young children at home. Later, these games started to match school lessons. For example, they linked to England's National Curriculum. The goal was to make learning fun and educational.

Here are some examples of learning software for kids. They focus on reading and math skills:

Online coloring websites are also popular. They help children be creative and improve fine motor skills. For example, a coloring book website offers many images to color online. This is a fun way for kids to relax and learn through art.

Research shows that play-based learning helps kids think better and be more creative. It encourages them to explore the world naturally. Hirsh-Pasek, a famous child psychology expert, supports this. She believes kids learn best with interesting and interactive activities.

A Look at the History of Learning Games

The early computer game The Sumerian Game (1964) was for elementary school students. It was one of the first games about managing resources. In 1970, a book called "Serious games: The art and science of games that simulate life" was published.

Educational games became more popular in the early 1980s. The video game crash of 1983 hurt the console market. But home computers became more popular. Also, arcade games faced criticism. People worried about addiction. So, computer game makers saw a chance. They made educational games for home computers. These games entertained kids and pleased parents and teachers. In 1983, the term "edutainment" was used for software games in the UK.

Since then, many other computer games used "edutainment" to describe them. For example, Electronic Arts's Seven Cities of Gold (1984). Most edutainment games teach through playing. Some games are called "serious games". Their main goal is to teach, not just to entertain.

Psychologist Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen studied how computer games can be used for learning. He wrote many articles on this topic. He looked at different ways games teach. He also pointed out that some research on games and learning had weaknesses.

How Games Help in Education

Games give a structure for solving problems. This lets players "fail forward." They keep trying until they solve a problem. This is a productive way to learn. It might take many tries, but each time you learn something new. Trying again and discovering things are key parts of learning through games. Many students learn better with games than with books. They might not even realize they are learning. Games need new and exciting things. Unexpected events and tough choices make players want to keep playing. A good story in a game can really draw a player in. It gives constant feedback and challenges that are just right. This helps avoid frustration.

Making good learning games for school can be tricky. For games to help students learn, they need certain qualities. They need creativity and new ideas to work well. Games should not just be about repeating facts. This makes them too simple. Three important things for good games are integration, motivation, and focus. To move forward in a game, players must learn the goals. The game should connect with what needs to be learned. Players should feel that knowing the information is important for success. The game needs to be fun and challenging. The main activity should be interesting to students. Games are about making choices. You see the results and get feedback. Games teach about rewards, and that you need to work for them. The actions in the game should relate to real life. This helps learning happen. Learning by exploring, doing, or interacting helps you focus best.

Teachers are using games more often now. These games cover many topics and use different devices. They are well-structured, which helps teachers. Students also enjoy them. Students are very good at using online tools. Online games can create learning data. This shows teachers what kids have learned and what needs work. This data helps teachers plan their lessons.

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A student uses a Smart Board in class.

A study in the U.S. in 2013 found that over half of K–12 teachers used digital games weekly. Many classrooms now use Smart Boards instead of blackboards. This brings more technology into learning. As we live in a digital world, most schools teach computer skills. Well-designed educational video games make learning fun. They can make students more excited about subjects, even less popular ones. These games offer more interaction and instant feedback. Students also have more control. Games that include real-world situations let students explore interactive environments. They can do this safely from their classroom.

When video games became popular in the 1980s, people studied their learning potential. They found that game players had better visual and motor skills. Early research also showed that electronic games helped children who struggled with basic subjects. It also found:

  • Video games helped students find and fix their weaknesses.
  • Games motivate and stimulate learning because they adapt. Players also control them.
  • Video games can be very useful for students who have trouble focusing.
  • They help students understand different ways of thinking.
  • Instant feedback from games makes kids curious. This leads to more learning.
  • Video games teach cooperation.

One reason to use video games in education is that you can learn from mistakes without danger. For example, the Air Force uses piloting simulations. These teach pilots how to fly planes. The simulations prepare pilots for real flying. They prevent harm or loss of life. A pilot can crash in a simulation, learn, reset, and try again. This helps them master flying. The military also uses games like ARMA and Socom for training. These games put players into realistic situations. Players use tactical skills to reach goals. This lets the military train soldiers without risk of injury.

Games can improve many skills. Arcade-style action and platforming games can help with motor skills and reflexes. Games like The Sims (for social simulation) and Civilization (for history and strategy) are educational. They help with thinking skills, problem-solving, and spatial skills. Some games are even made just for studying school subjects.

Comparing Games to Classroom Learning

Video games are often more engaging than traditional classrooms. Instead of long lessons, games give small bits of information when you need it. Playing games helps students with metacognition. This means thinking about how they learn. Good metacognition helps with school skills. It helps students know their strengths and weaknesses. It also improves their grades. Games used in class can help students understand different stories and languages. They encourage students to read the hidden meanings in games. Using video games in classrooms has been around for over ten years. But it's not yet common in every school.

Multimedia learning uses different visuals. Students can use these to interact with material. They can analyze ideas in new ways. This modern learning style is relevant and familiar to students. It mixes entertainment with information. This creates a new way to learn content. Students get information differently than in a traditional classroom.

Multimedia learning makes students more active. For example, they can change parts of a problem to see different results. But students need to know enough about the subject first. Otherwise, multimedia learning won't work as well. If they have background knowledge, studies show that this active learning can improve how they learn.

How Games Are Used in Classrooms

Many studies have asked how much games are used in classrooms. One study surveyed 53 Swedish English teachers. It found that video games were rarely used. Teachers liked the idea, but they didn't see the benefits. They felt games created excitement for the game, not for learning.

Some people don't like using video games in class. But others are open to trying it. Video games are interactive and fun. They build thinking skills that help with school. They also make educational topics more interesting. Using video games is another way to connect with students.

A study looked at game-based learning in eight middle school classes for three weeks. It found that video games motivate students who find school boring. The study aimed to increase student engagement and participation. More participation helps students remember what they learn. Encouraging students to get involved in class is very important.

Good Things About Using Games

Some teachers have tried using video games in class. There is evidence that educational video games make young children more engaged.

Video games are built on rewards. Players get rewarded for solving problems or finishing missions. This teaches a systematic way of thinking. It also shows how different things affect each other. Games can also constantly check a player's ability. Traditional school tests often give a limited view of progress. Many studies suggest this way of learning is more fun. It also helps student motivation. Games were found to be as good as, or better than, regular teaching.

Games like Minecraft and Portal are good for teachers to try. Minecraft is a sandbox game where you build things. Portal is a physics game. Players use laws of physics like gravity to solve puzzles. Both games require Critical thinking and problem-solving. They can fit into learning environments. Minecraft has been used for young children. Portal has been used by high school physics teachers. Portal 2 also helped college students develop thinking skills. A 2017 study found games like Portal 2, Borderlands 2, Gone Home, and Papers, Please can build skills. These include communication, resourcefulness, and adaptability in college students.

One study showed that using a video game in class discussions helped. It also included fun exercises linked to the game. This improved student performance and engagement. College students in a biology class played SPORE. The group that played SPORE and did related exercises had scores about 4% higher. The game's small mistakes made students think critically. One student said it helped her understand natural selection and genetic diversity. However, the game had extra exercises and teacher help. So, this study doesn't fully prove games alone increase engagement.

Students who played Europa Barbarorum knew a lot about historical geography. This was more than what was taught in their history class. They understood key stages of civilization. They also knew a lot about military history and history of art. Much of this came from the game's detailed descriptions. Students also said the game made them want to read more history books. It's not clear if they actually read more books, though.

Another study looked at teachers using Civilization III in high school history classes. Not all students liked using the game. Many found it too hard and boring. Some high-achieving students worried it would hurt their studies. They felt it wasn't good preparation for college. But students who struggled in traditional school often did much better with the game. The game seemed to get their attention when regular schooling didn't.

Interactive video games in physical education are more than just animated exercise. Many have scores based on skill performance. Some use heart rate monitors and estimate calories burned. Others are made to improve motor skills. These include balance, hand-eye coordination, agility, and core strength. These fun games can teach kids about how their body works. For example, they can see how their heart reacts to different activities.

One study used the game Semideus. It aimed to see if it could improve math skills. This included understanding fractions and general math thinking. The study found that games with math built into the gameplay can help kids. It also suggested that teachers should be involved to make game-based learning more effective.

Simulation video games help players think critically. They also gain knowledge about their environment. Players learn to solve problems by trying and making mistakes. They learn by doing and role-playing. These virtual worlds help with learning, teamwork, and practical thinking skills.

In some subjects, games are made to help learn tough ideas. For example, in medical school, games help with anatomy.

Digital skills learned through gaming can lead to careers in technology. These include jobs in computer science. It's important to encourage all young people, especially girls, to explore gaming and tech. This can help them build confidence and interest in these fields. When girls are introduced to educational games early, it can spark excitement for digital skills. They might connect gaming to creativity, like solving puzzles or building things. This can help more girls get into STEM subjects. It can also lead them to careers like software development. Early exposure helps girls see themselves as capable in tech.

Beyond skills, video games help students solve complex real-world problems. They learn by doing. One study used Plague Inc: Evolved, a strategy game. Players design ways to manage a global challenge. Students wrote about how they improved their game strategies. Then, they thought about how these strategies could help with real-life problems. This included ethical choices or daily issues. This process made students think about how they solve problems. It also made them consider how their beliefs guide their choices. The study shows games can help with ethical thinking. Players can try different ideas in a safe, fun environment. Digital games let players experience stories with choices. These choices can feel like real-life consequences.

Educational video games also help young children develop. A study looked at how tablet games affect kindergarteners' math and thinking skills. Children played a number game, a memory game, or a color-matching game. The number game group showed big improvements in counting and understanding numbers. These improvements lasted a month. Both the number and memory games improved working memory. Memory gains in the memory group continued even after the study. These findings show that targeted digital games can boost specific skills. They also improve general thinking abilities in young learners. This offers tools to help with learning differences early on.

Possible Negative Effects

One concern is that kids already spend too much time with technology. Children aged eight to eighteen use media for over seven and a half hours a day outside of school. Some argue that this screen time might reduce face-to-face communication skills. A study tested this idea. One group of kids went to a camp without screens for five days. They did many bonding activities. Another group stayed at school and used screens as usual. Both groups took tests to compare their face-to-face communication skills. The results showed that the camp group was much better at reading facial emotions.

Challenges for Using Games

Many teachers have doubts about using video games. One study asked teachers why they didn't use games more often. Six main problems were found:

  • Curriculum is not flexible: Teachers find it hard to fit games into existing school lessons. It can be tough to find games that are both educational and fun. Many teachers also don't have experience teaching with games. Parents might not like learning with games if they learned in traditional ways.
  • Stigma: Video games are sometimes seen as just child's play or a hobby for teens. People think games distract from serious schoolwork. They are sometimes seen as unproductive.
  • Psychological issues: Gaming can lead to addiction or physical problems. Students might also lose interest in traditional learning. It can also reduce teacher control and cause too much competition.
  • Students' readiness: Students have different skill levels and computer knowledge. This can be affected by their socioeconomic status. It takes time to teach game rules. Games can also be harder to understand than traditional videos.
  • Lack of supporting materials: Teachers don't have extra texts or work for students to do with games.
  • Fixed class schedules: Teachers have limited time. Their school might not allow games. More complex games, which often teach the most, take hours to learn and play. For example, Civilization V tutorials take an hour, and full games can take many hours.
  • Limited budgets: Computers, software, and fast internet are expensive. Teachers often find them hard to get.
  • Relevance to Common Core: School systems focus on standardized tests for common core topics. Games exist for these topics, but they might not be as exciting as commercial video games.

Some teachers worried more about certain problems. Male teachers were less concerned about budgets, class hours, and lack of materials than female teachers. New teachers worried more about fixed schedules and lack of materials than experienced teachers.

A study looked at teachers' views on educational video games in higher education. It also checked if age and gender affected these views. The study found that age and gender didn't matter. It suggested that training for teachers shouldn't focus on games being simple to use. Instead, it should show teachers that games are useful tools. Teachers who saw games as helpful were more likely to use them.

Learning from Video Games Outside the Classroom

Regular commercial video games, also called COTS games, can help you learn important skills. For example, first-person shooter games like Call of Duty. While these games have action, players can learn key skills. They make players think as they move through levels. They also teach strategy, like how to get past enemies or avoid harm. Players can test these skills in multiplayer modes. These games also improve peripheral vision. Players need to watch for movement and make quick decisions.

Other games, like Guitar Hero and Rock Band, show how learning works in games. To succeed, players often have to fail many times. This is how they learn the right actions. These games also give instant feedback on how well you're doing. This is something traditional learning often lacks. The main benefit of video games is that there's nothing to lose from failing. In real life, mistakes often have negative results.

Games like Animal Crossing help players practice life skills. These include time management, understanding value, and saving money. They also teach social skills and friendship. Players can improve their understanding, evaluation, and decision-making skills. These come from playing games that share messages about culture or society.

Research also suggests health benefits from playing video games. Studies from various universities found that video games can be helpful. They can be therapeutic for children with chronic illnesses. They can improve preschoolers' motor skills. Games can also reduce stress and depression. They can relieve pain, improve vision, and help with decision-making. They can even help older adults stay happy.

One study showed that commercial video games can improve skills like communication, resourcefulness, and adaptability. College students were split into two groups. They used self-report tools to measure these skills.

Special Educational Needs

Children of all kinds learn well through play. Children with special needs, whether physical or cognitive, often need different tools. Many schools want to include special education students in regular classrooms. With technology, schools are closing the gap. They give children with disabilities equal chances to learn and communicate.

Many video games have been made for children with special needs. Dreamware is one example. This device uses sight, sound, temperature, and vibration training. These methods capture a child's attention. They help kids stay focused longer, so they learn more.

Other educational video games for special needs include virtual reality. It can help build knowledge. A study by Professor Standen found that teens with severe intellectual disabilities improved. They practiced shopping in a virtual supermarket. They were quicker and more accurate than those who didn't practice. This showed that students could learn important life skills through a game. They could then use that knowledge in the real world. This makes games a valuable learning tool.

Importance to Learners

Educational video games help learners develop reading comprehension and thinking skills. For teachers, these games are useful for engaging students. Video games can be an immersive learning system. They combine digital technology, good stories, and real-world gameplay. Through games, students learn resilience, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They find many solutions for problems. By using educational video games, parents and teachers can get children interested in technology early.

Educational video games are important for individualized learning. Every learner is different. Teachers always look for resources that offer a personalized learning plan. Video games let students learn new ideas at their own pace. They don't need constant supervision from parents or teachers. The game experience can be adjusted for each player. It changes based on their preferences and performance. The game automatically gives harder challenges after each problem is solved. If a student struggles, the game presents the idea in a different way. It keeps doing this until the student understands. Video games balance fun with the right level of challenge. This keeps players in an engaging learning zone.

Research shows that children who play educational video games improve their visual-spatial skills. For example, a simple game session can help learners visualize science topics better. Children who play these games have sharper visual attention. They also improve their ability to see 3D objects. Educational video games also improve aim and hand-eye coordination. Games are a learning tool that sharpens children's perceptions and responses to the world.

Activity-promoting games focus on increasing physical activity. For students, these games have several benefits in school. With active video games, there's an added value. One study found that students who played an educational game with physical activity felt more attentive. This is important for being aware of your surroundings. It can also lead to more motivation.

However, active video games are just as effective as other educational games without physical activity. Test results didn't show a difference between the two. Still, active video games let students learn while also being active. This is good in settings where they might not get much activity.

Adding gaming to school lessons can help capture students' attention. Exciting activities like gaming spark student interest. They offer a modern way to understand things.

Limitations

One main limitation of educational video games is less room for spontaneous play. A child might be involved and have some control in a game. But they can't fully control where the game goes. This limits self-directed learning. It's been noted that games can help students focus. However, after the game ends, many find it hard to adjust back to the slower pace of classroom learning.

It's also important for students to ask questions about topics they don't understand. A supervising teacher can help, but a computer can't answer all questions. Using educational computer games also requires the teacher to know how the game works. They also need to be somewhat computer literate.

Despite the excitement around games and learning, few studies have proven that educational video games improve grades. Individuals might develop game-specific skills. But these might not transfer to traditional school skills. More research is needed to see if playing educational video games improves classroom behavior and academic skills.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Videojuego educativo para niños

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