Educational Games vs. Traditional Learning – The Differences

Can educational games ever replace traditional teaching methods? Probably not. But they can certainly be an effective and more practical approach to learning and help offset the limitations of classroom teaching methodologies. Research suggests that while online kids’ games might not be as effective as traditional learning, those based on Game-based Learning (GBL) approaches motivate students and help them learn better. So before you impound your child’s Xbox, learn how it makes learning material more accessible and education more relevant . And also why gaming literacy is now considered to be important enough for schools to incorporate it in their curriculum.

Educational Games-based Learning – Why it Works

Try and deconstruct the fun in any good computer or video game – it all boils down to the same thing -the integrated learning process that is as subtle as it is effective. A player can only progress in an educational game when he masters certain skills or logic – while he is actively engaged with beating the game his mind is experiencing the pleasure of figuring out a new system. This is true even if the game is considered to be pure ‘entertainment’ such as Angry Birds. Classroom learning, on the other hand, often feels dull and passive – that’s because kids are being engaged or challenged as much as they should be. Learning is synonymous with acquiring the skills and thought processes required to handle and respond to a variety of situations but most forms of traditional learning are little more than rote memorization.

On the other hand, a well-designed educational game for kids targets specific learning goals to motivate highly-engaged learners to apply the problem-solving skills to real world problems. In fact, the same factors that contribute to the success of Call of Duty are also the ones that help create ideal learning environments for students.

Online Educational Games for Kids – The Top Benefits 

These are some of the top reasons why your child should play virtual educational games:

1. Online Educational Games can retain kids’ notoriously short attention spans far longer than classroom teaching sessions. 
2. Most computer games apply relevant educational principles to foster important skills such as motor skills, cognitive strategy, verbal information and intellectual skills. 
3. Kids’ educational games online have a proven record of increasing students’ motivational levels and making them master skills far more quickly than traditional teaching methodologies.
4. Computer games are particularly skilled in promoting a positive attitude among players towards the topic they engage with thus increasing their knowledge about it. 

Educational Games for Kids – The Final Analysis 

Children’s learning games have a number of well-documented and proven benefits – however, this does not mean that classroom learning and traditional teaching methodologies are redundant and should be done away with. Computer games can never replace teachers but they can be used to complement classroom learning when used along with text books and web-based learning to provide a well-balanced education to your child. The support and encouragement of your child’s teacher are crucial for making educational game-based learning a success.