Slashdot Mirror
Teachers Using Computer Games in Class
conq writes "BusinessWeek has a piece on the ways in which games are gaining acceptance in the classroom. From the article: 'Teachers across the country are bringing certain games into their schools as a way to pique students' interest in everything from history and politics to physical fitness and music theory. Among the most popular are Firaxis Games Inc.'s Civilization games, Take2's Railroad Tycoon, and Dance Dance Revolution.'"
How is the news? I recall playing Oregon Trail, Number Munchers, and Odell Lake around 15 years ago!
Maybe you learned something and didn't realize it.. ala passive learning. Yeah, you had fun playing Oregon Trail.. but didn't know you were learning planning, strategy, money management..
{} ------ When I think of a good sig, I'll put it here
Speak for yourself, my experience with the Total War series (specifically Rome and Medieval) just saved my ass on the geography portion of a French civ. test. Well, that and my knowledge of the two world wars ;)
A game called Shadow President (plus good ol' board games like Risk) taught me tons about politics, war, geography, and history. I played that thing for hours.
Darklands, a game that I used to play and that I recently re-discovered (mmm, DosBox emulation) has tons to teach the player about life and beliefs in medieval Germany (Holy Roman Empire).
Some of these things I could probably never have learned quite as well in a regular classroom, nor so quickly.
And don't forget SimCity 2000 (or original Sim City or even one of the newer ones, if that's your thing). Budgeting, management of resources, planning skills. A hell of a learning tool for first-third graders.
Granted, most of these I never played in school. Number Munchers and Oregon Trail was about it. But, used properly, games can kick ass at teaching all kinds of things.
So in other words, you learned shallow and fictionalized versions of the above. Well, good. At least you're in good company.