An educational video game helps players in their studies by making them remembers facts. This new paradigm that fuses the two entirely different worlds of education and training is called Edutainment. Children’s learning software is the one that is an example of an edutainment product.
If we defined the term in an isolated manner, an educational software’s primary function is to entertain and engage the kids and in this process, the children learn certain things as they play. This software can be purchased from any store. Normally software of this kind does not follow a specific curriculum of the school or educational staff prescribed by any school board.
Contemporarily, the education system around the world has seen an overhaul with the introduction of technological equipment such as smart boards, projectors and stylus, etc. these help teachers to inculcate and develop a few skills in children in a fun way.
Teachers may deliver complex concepts in an easier manner. For instance, a 3D model of a nervous system can help students to understand the network of neurons in the body. Gamification of education allows disinterested students to interact with the subject matter.
The introduction of technology at an early age for students helps them in getting along with new advancements. It helps them in choosing the right career and developing new developmental skills. It has been proved with empirical studies conducted on children that video games help children in the creative process and developing cognitive and spatial skills.
The success of video games in enhancing the experience of both children and teachers in learning is explosive. Educators all around the world are now considering the benefit of introducing educational video games especially developed to include school curriculum.
Educational video games induce the parts of the brain that is responsible for solving problems. It is designed in a way to enhance determination in students as he keeps on solving the problem until it is solved. If a student learns while playing, learning becomes a playful process rather than boring and tiring.
Developing a game for the whole class that has students with myriad kinds of capabilities comes with challenges. This is why educators are involved from the initial stages. Some elements of creativity and uniqueness are included in the gameplay.
The primary purpose of the game should be to encourage students to interact with the subject matter of the game. If a student’s curiosity is piqued by paying the game, its purpose is successful. It has been observed that the inclusion of gameplay especially affects the language learning capacity of a student.
Here is a list of games that can be termed educational: –
- SimCity- In this game, students can build cities and learn the administrative and managerial aspects of running a township.
- Empire building games like Civilization helps the students in leering historical facts that are considered utterly boring.
- Minecraft can help students learn chemistry and how different kinds of minerals interact with each other.
- The Patrician helps the children in developing trading and economic skills.