Video Games in the Classroom

[Netzech]

Hello everyone,

I have a quick question to ask my fellow gamer. I am in the process of becoming a teacher and I am currently in schools observing. A High School Social Studies class is completing a unit on World War I and will begin World War II within a few weeks. The teacher has offered the students the opportunity to bring in a video game system and play for a bit at the beginning of the class a game that relates to either of these wars. I haven't played through the COD Series or any other WW games single player so I was unable to give the teacher concrete advice.

I offered to check out for the teacher which World World I or II games would be the best to play. It would also help if there is some Canadian content since this class is based in Canadian History, but it's not mandatory. Any major battle would be fine as well.

I personally think this is an amazing idea for two reasons:
1) It is getting the interest of students who normally wouldn't engage in a classroom.
2)It's showing that there are other mediums can teach contend other then the standard classroom textbook.

What do you think? Do you think that this could be a great learning experience, or just a way to waste away time?

Also posted at Gaming Angel.com

-Enochan

[Troy Goodfellow]

No idea how I've missed this thread. I hope it worked out, because I haven't had much luck with this sort of thing myself. I've taught Social Studies, and it's harder to work games in than people think.

What is the lesson? Specifically. Causes of WW2? Life at the front? WW2 as "The Good War"? Just like you wouldn't pick a book or news article without some idea of what you were trying to teach, picking up a game because it has historical content is like using that Heath Ledger knight movie to teach the middle ages. You can certainly do it, but you need to frame the reference point carefully.

If it is to be a "teaser" to get students into the material at the beginning of class, remember that not all students will get a chance to play and some will be learning the controls for the first time. Teaching a game, especially to non-gamers (and there will be some) can take a very long time.

One reason why most schools haven't moved past using SimCity or online election simulators in the classroom is because there still isn't any clear pedagogical path for using retail games designed as entertainment that isn't better trod through classroom simulation, lots of reading or Hollywood. (Movies work well in the class because everyone can pay attention and you can easily isolate what you want the kids to see.)

[Greg Orlando]

Why would anyone think that Call of Duty is relevant as educational material?

It's not a realistic portrayal of warfare, and it certainly doesn't accurately reflect the events of World War II.

[Netzech]

It's only used as an introduction, first 15-20 mins of class.

[Jonathon Self]

While it may seem pretty nifty to someone like myself, I'm not sure how effective something like this would be unless the students really want to pull something from it.

Otherwise kids are just getting to play video games during class.

[BFeld]

Best class ever.

Also, the games are rated T, not M, so I would worry about to much blood and guts. It might be a good introduction, but I wouldn't plan a lesson around it.

[Lauren Wainwright]

COD is good and very realistic. However to get to certain story/educational parts of the game you obviously have to shoot around and kill to get there. Another thing is the game's obvious rating.

Great for older adults studying, maybe a good look in to how wars looked like. The weapons and landscapes are top notch!

[Mike "Savant" Ferry]

If this was brought up back when I was going to school, I would be all for it. Granted, I believe it can go either way when it comes down to the whole wasting time or a viable learning tool thing.

I'm sure some students couldn't care less about the whole actual history shindig, and would rather just show off how it looks to cap someone in the head from 200 yeards out with a Springfield.

Whilst others would actually take note to some of the main themes presented during the missions and cutscenes. But here's the main problem; a lot of the meat and potatoes in these games that the teacher would be looking for are contained within the few and far between cinematics. Most of the already short amount of time a teacher has would be wasted on the shooting end of things.

Could it work? Maybe. Is it viable? Not so much. But as said, I'm all for bringing games into the classroom where appropriate.

Best of luck to you on your future teaching endeavors, Steph!