Video Games In Education

Video games have been in our lives for a very long time. Even before the personal computer usage became this common, owning an “Atari”, a legacy game console, at home was very popular. However, the rapid change in technology has brought a new dimension to the world of video games as well. Game platforms have stunningly developed and changed, while video games have kept their popularity.
Today, popular use of personal computers and hand-held smart devices allows gaming to take place everywhere. It specially keeps an important place in new generation’s lives. As Prensky (2001) pointed out, it is a new era of digital natives. Today’s kids do not go outside to play; they turn on the PC instead; and more importantly, they are totally focused during …show more content…
Many researches about computer games and education can be found in the literature. But having looked at the practice, it can be seen that parents and teachers are not only closed to the idea of bringing gaming into classrooms, but cannot stand seeing a kid with a hand-held video game device at school corridors (Steinkuehler, 2010). About this issue, Hamlen (2009) warns parents and teachers that some children find video games a source of enjoyment and challenge; and criticizing video games without proven excuses may result in alienation of those …show more content…
There is a disconnection between games and classrooms (Steinkuehler, 2010). One eye catching barrier is teacher opposition. Most teachers do not see the potential of educational gaming, specially the online games, gaming communities and games as a communication tool but seeing them as a simple reward (Young, Schrader, & Zheng, 2006). They are interested in using games, but they are in uncertainty (Becker,