Gaming in the Classroom

[Tina Bulleigh]

I started a discussion on the Classroom 2.0 site with regards to gaming in the classroom. I was amazed with all of the great resources I have found through other fellow edu-techies! You will have to check it out, but also, I am interested in any input that I could get from my TeachStrong friends. I really think that gaming in the classroom with Sim Games could really be the way to mastery learning. Has anyone given this a shot?

[Don Lavalette]

Tina,
Not only have I used Computer Games in the class, but I also have used numerous board "sim type" games I've collected since the 1980's.
Check out the RollerCoaster Tycoon games as well...plenty of math in them.
If you want more specific info (more than I can post here I'm afraid) feel free to email me.
Don

[Tina Bulleigh]

I would love hear more about your Sim experience, but am also interested in anything else you know to be solid. I am looking at sixth grade as of now, please feel free to post what you know to be good.

[Carlos Raul Lopez Reatiga]

Tina,
Don't be selfish and tell us what you found!
Also, could you state the level, the subject, the age of students, and everything related to those games?
I can tell, for example, that I use a game that it is, in a way, designed for children who are native speakers of English. I use this game for young adults learning English. They are in their first course. They really like the game. They are engaged in what they are doing. I have noticed, sometimes, that some of them cheat on the computer by shooting at every target it appears on screen but in the end they write the words they learn and they provide examples from their own whic, later on, compare with their classmates. The game I'm talking about is found at: http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/ and the name of the game is Coconut Vowels.

[Raenette Taljaard]

I haven't tried gaming, except for online Maths games. How are you doing it? What age are you teaching and what subjects does it help with? I would love to try this, as in my class of 25 pupils, I have 17 boys!