Creating educational computer games requires a strong understanding of existing educational frameworks, the role of the teacher, and the educational needs of the student audience. This highlights a much more complex and important role for game developers and designers. Not only must the game developers create educational games that will appeal to a young audience, but the possibility of massive social implications for the games leaves game developers with a greater social responsibility to ensure that the games they develop are both appropriate for and beneficial to their users. There is no current content regulation in place in Australia that is specific to educational computer games, so it is the joint responsibility of educators, child development experts, and the game developer’s to ensure that the games are developed with a clear educational focus, an impeccable understanding of the child audience, an in accordance with the requirements of existing educational frameworks.
Understanding the child audience is of the greatest importance for educational computer game developers. This requires a focus on what is appealing, interesting and exciting to young students. There has been much research into this topic, and some commonly agreed finding’s which should be useful to educational software designers. For example, it has been agreed that educational computer game designers can increase the interest of primary school students through the use of ‘question and answer, and through the use of clever multimedia effect’(Cheung & Siu, 2002:119). Other benefits include the development of computer navigation skills and an increased ability to operate logically through unfamiliar mediums.
The creators of educational computer games have different goals than those relates to entertainment games. It is the mission of most education computer game developers to ‘demonstrate the social, cultural and educational potential of games’(Roach, 2003:42) within an increasingly technologically minded society. An example of the enormous potential of educational games can be found within the educational software series Ultimate Learning. Developed by Dr Jeffrey Weisman, Ultimate Learning seeks to ‘enhance children’s problem-solving and social interaction skills by introducing them to thinking-specific activities’(Anonymous (The Exceptional Parent)2004:14). Inspired by his daughter, who was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, Dr. Weisman designed various games to enhance learning for children with severe learning difficulties. Other initiatives with a focus on the social aspects of educating young children is a game called Whodunnit, a game designed to educate children on the dangers of web-predators. The game is described as a ‘tool to street-proof kids and provide an interactive medium to communicate an important social message’(McDonald, 2001:57). The use of an interactive game causes children to participate in important decision-making which aims to leave a lasting impression in their minds.
This is the way of the future, and it is up to the game developer’s along with the other key participants to develop computer software that go beyond the traditional notion of computer-aided education, and incorporate the valuable social, cultural and educational concepts that will enhance learning experience and most clearly benefit students.
References:
Anonymous. (2004) 'Cardiologist turned software developer uses resources to help special needs children' The Exceptional Parent. Issue 9.,vol.34, p.14. Accessed : Academic Research Database.
Cheung, D.& Siu, B. (2002) 'Some management issues for computer game development for primary education'. The Electronic Library. Issue 2., vol.20, pp.119-125. Accessed: Academic Research Database.
McDonald, M. (2001). 'New kids' video game spotlights Web predators'. U.S News & World Report. Issue 5., vol.130, p.57. Accessed: Academic Research Database.
Roach, R. (2003) 'Research schools work to improve classroom use of computer games'. Black Issues in Higher Education. Issue 21., vol.20, p.42. Accessed: Academic Research Database.
Useful Links:
Video Game Theory Forum:- http://www.ludology.org
Education Arcade [Homepage of The Games-To-Teach Project] http://www.educationarcade.org
Game Studies Online:Homepage of the International Journal of Computer Game Research:- http://www.gamestudies.org
--Dannii Foley 10:06, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
