When Does A Game Become Educational, And When Is It Just Entertainment?
This is a very important point for teachers and parents. When does a computer game become education, and when is it just entertainment?
What are the critical aspects that make a game educational, and something that would make us as teachers and parents spend our dollars, time and energy on it?
In my area of music there are all sorts of games: Some of the music games which are available today are nothing more than an evolution of the toy guitar that you’d give a toddler to play with. Some are almost like playing a real instrument, with real instrument sizes and materials used.
Where do we draw the line? Music teachers are definitely split on this issue. Most I know still teach the same way they always have, and probably won’t be spending money on too many games. However there is real educational value in some aspects of the game.
The question that we need to ask ourselves when thinking about any game activity is: “What is this teaching me (or them, if thinking about your children or your students) that I didn’t know before?”
Learning something is the process of taking something which is unknown and making it known. That’s as simple as it is. Are you making anything known that wasn’t already when you are playing that computer game? If you are simply playing one level of one game over and over again nothing will happen except that you’ll be good at that one thing. You’ll really know that one thing, but nothing else.
If however when playing a music game you are constantly introducing new songs, and you use the music game as a vehicle to move forward with skills, then you’ll find this to be a well worthwhile educational experience.
Music game developers should consult instrument specialists when building games about specific instruments, so that playing the game does not negatively impact students technique when playing the real thing. I believe that most of the game companies do that research, however there is always cheaper versions who cut out the features and cut down on the educational value.
If you always ask this question: What is this game teaching me that I previously didn’t know? Then you’ll find that time spent on games will always help… besides being great fun!
Kevin Tuck, the author of this article is a musician and music teacher of wide experience. In his work as editor at the fun music company he is currently developing educational music games for school students.
