Game based learning offers a unique opportunity for students to have fun and to learn. Students are playing games all the time, especially digital games (including apps, video games, computer games, etc.). This can provide a challenge for educators to overcome, how to engage students in meaningful game based learning when the games that students play on their own time are more compelling and entertaining.
How is it possible for educators in the grade 7 – 12 classroom to use game based learning effectively?
Please comment and leave your name.
Please comment and leave your name.
Videos about Game Based Learning and VR/AR
Trash Rage
Environmental Education using Virtual (VR) and Augmented (AR) Reality This game, Trash Rage, is attempting to tackle several problems at once, including saving the environment. Through AR Giant Lazer, the technology start up that created this game, is hoping to inspire and educate the next generation about recycling and taking care of our planet. Imagine a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is a waste dump patrolled by hostile robots. You, one of the last survivors, must return from Mars and make the Blue Planet habitable again. Using an exoskeleton and two helper robots, your job is to sort as much trash as you can in 3 minutes. It’s not easy – you have to comply to a real world recycling system. Trash Rage combines gaming, education and environmental awareness. Our crowdfunding campaign got funded recently and we are building Trash Rage AR for smartphones. (Quoted from the Youtube Page). The game can be found on STEAM |
|
HoloLAB Champions This game, HoloLAB Champions is a VR Chemistry game show. It was created by Schell Games and helps students complete digital labs experiments in a game show environment. HoloLAB is meant to be used in a secondary chemistry class. For more information check out this website |
|
Evidence Based Info As students move from elementary to secondary school motivation levels tend to drop and the desire to be at school almost disappears. Learning can become a challenge. Over time, various strategies have been used to increase students’ motivation. One strategy that has recently seen an increase in student motivation is Game Based Learning. Digital Game Based Learning, a relatively new addition, provides students with unique opportunities to experience learning in ways never done before. The use Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) in the classroom gives students the opportunity to experience innovative technology that is still being developed and explored. It can enable students to experience a “cool” technology in the classroom. Researchers Bower et.al, (2014) explain that Augmented and Virtual Reality have been shown to increase student motivation in the classroom (p. 6). In Game Based Learning, students get to play and this is powerful because students can begin to make connections that may not have been made in a traditional classroom. Game Based Learning also acts as “vehicles for content, architectures for engagement and as “tools” to evaluate the users’ strategies for gaining (Pellas, et al, 2019, p” (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 329) making them powerful tools. Digital games in general are important “for cognitive development and social processes, and learning interest and motivation can be increased” (Hwang, Wu, Chem & Tu, 2016, p. 1897). When students’ motivation is increased, they will show a stronger desire to participate, which also increases their learning. |
Game-based learning is popular across all grades, but can be difficult to implement within the classroom, especially at the secondary level. Augmented and Virtual Reality Educational Games can be applied to a surprising number of subject areas. High school science classes have often experienced a lower level of motivation. Chen et. al, (2019) explain that using Game Based Learning can be difficult in secondary science classes. However, they explain that gaming environments “showed promising results in contextualizing science processes” (Chen et al, 2019, p. 1004). AR/VR technology has been used in a wide range of sciences including “formal science, natural science, physical science, and social science” (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 330) at various levels. These technologies have been applied in other subjects as well, such as STEM subjects, and history, archeology, linguistics, geography, the arts and tourism (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 342). AR/VR game based learning offers “the ability to bring life to invisible, abstract and complex concepts” (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 343) which is beneficial for subjects that can be considered boring and uninteresting, such as high school history. AR/VR games provide students the opportunity to play, which can be lacking in high school, which leads to a higher level of engagement. In the game playing process clear goals are stated, feedback is given immediately and in a meaningful way and acted on (Pellas, et at., 2019, p.330). These elements lead to a higher level of motivation and engagement, which in turn can help make potentially uninteresting subjects come alive.
AR/VR games are a powerful learning tool and demonstrate the potential growth and impact game based learning and educational technology (Bower, et al, 2014, p.4). The objective of digital Game Based learning is to provide students with a rich learning experience that creates motivation and engagement in the subject area. AR/VR games have the potential to accomplish these goals. These technologies also “lead to clear enjoyment, knowledge gain, augmented interaction, increased engagement, and enhanced Collaboration” (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 343). Because of the higher levels of students’ motivation it is worth inviting the culture of games, especially AR/VR games in game based learning environments into the classroom (Virou and Katsinis, 2008, p. 177). When game based learning is paired with AR/VR games in the grades 7 – 12 classroom the opportunity is presented to students to engage in the use of a cool technology, have an increased desire to be motivated and to learn all while having fun.
AR/VR games are a powerful learning tool and demonstrate the potential growth and impact game based learning and educational technology (Bower, et al, 2014, p.4). The objective of digital Game Based learning is to provide students with a rich learning experience that creates motivation and engagement in the subject area. AR/VR games have the potential to accomplish these goals. These technologies also “lead to clear enjoyment, knowledge gain, augmented interaction, increased engagement, and enhanced Collaboration” (Pellas, et al, 2019, p. 343). Because of the higher levels of students’ motivation it is worth inviting the culture of games, especially AR/VR games in game based learning environments into the classroom (Virou and Katsinis, 2008, p. 177). When game based learning is paired with AR/VR games in the grades 7 – 12 classroom the opportunity is presented to students to engage in the use of a cool technology, have an increased desire to be motivated and to learn all while having fun.
AR/VR Game Based Learning
Check out these videos for several examples of AR/VR Game Based Learning in grade 7 – 12 classrooms.
Check out these videos for several examples of AR/VR Game Based Learning in grade 7 – 12 classrooms.
Car Crash Traffic Control This game can be tied to a Science Classroom that is studying physics, especially Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. |
|
|
Fantastic Contraption This game can be used in a variety of subjects and ages as it has a wide range of applications. |
Schell Games History Maker This game can be used in a Social Studies or History class at various levels because of the wide range of historical figures that it has access to. |
|
|
Schell Games Schell Games is an innovative educational and entertainment technology company that provides many incredible resources. They are leaders in the AR/VR game industry and should be considered when searching for an AR/VR Educational Game. |
Question: How could you use AR/VR in your classroom? If you could design an AR/VR game, what would it be?
Please leave your name with your comment.
Please leave your name with your comment.