A handbook for teachers - Games in Schools - European Schoolnet

Digital gamesin schoolsA handbook for teachersFinanced by

Digital games in schools: A handbook for teachers complements thestudy How are digital games used in schools?, published in May 2009.Both publications have been written in the framework of EuropeanSchoolnet's Games in Schools project which began in January 2008and ended in June 2009.Publisher European SchoolnetEUN Partnership AISBLRue de Trèves 611040 BrusselsBelgiumAuthor Dr. Patrick Felicia, Lecturer, Researcher,Department of Computer Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland(pfelicia@wit.ie)Editor Caroline KearneyDesign coordination Paul Gerhard, Alexa Joyce, Caroline Kearney, Marie Le BoniecDesign PDP Branding and Marketing (HK), Hofi Studio (CZ)Language coordination and translation Nathalie Scheeck (coordination), Richard Nice (English proofreading),Xavière Boitelle (French translation), Christine Kirschfink (German translation),José Luis Diez Lerma (Spanish translation), Sara Crimi (Italian translation)Printing Hofi Studio (CZ)Print Run 500Picture credits Derek Robertson, Ella Myhring, Alawar Games (Farm Frenzy), IPRASE,Waag SocietyCopyright Published in June 2009. The views expressed in this publication are those ofthe author and not necessarily those of EUN Partnership AISBL or theInteractive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE). This book is publishedunder the terms and conditions of the Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0Unported (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). This publicationwas printed with the financial support of ISFE.

Table of Contents1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31.1 The purpose of this handbook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.2 Learning objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42. Why use digital games for learning? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.1 Change in the perception of digital games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.2 The benefits of digital games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72.3 From CBT (Computer-Based Training) to digital games for learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.4 Digital games and the cognitive process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92.5 Digital games and motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122.6 Successful applications of digital games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133. Choosing the appropriate game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153.1 Taxonomy of digital games and associated benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163.2 Understanding digital games’ technical requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213.3 Understanding digital game rating and standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223.4 What to look for in a digital game: Testing the game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233.5 Taking account of children with disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

4. Conducting a play session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274.1 Organizing a play session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284.2 Evaluating and strengthening pupils’ knowledge through a debriefing session . . . . 295. Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336. Resources for teachers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376.1 Further reading on the use of digital games for learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386.2 Web portals for digital games for learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Glossary of terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

1. Introduction

Introduction11.1 The purpose of this handbookThis handbook has been written in the framework ofEuropean Schoolnet's Games in Schools projectwhich began in January 2008 and ended in June2009. The project's aim was to analyse the currentsituation in eight countries (Austria, Denmark, France,Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain and UK) withregard to games based learning. It is composed ofvarious elements, including a synthesis and final reportbased on the results of a Europe-wide teachers'survey, case studies and interviews with relevant nationalpolicy makers, researchers and experts, as wellas an online community of practice and finally thepresent teachers' handbook. The Games in Schoolsblog provides more information regarding EuropeanSchoolnet's project, and also provides links to thestudy's reports (http://games.eun.org).This handbook is intended for teachers interested inusing digital games in their lessons. It provides thenecessary information to understand the educationalbenefits of digital games and to learn how to usethem as educational and motivational resources.After reading this handbook, you should be able tomake informed decisions on the choice and use ofdigital games in the classroom, and obtain all thebenefits digital games can offer. This handbook isa practical guide aimed at providing you withtheoretical and practical information. It is anintroduction to the educational use of digital gamesand it provides references to useful resources suchas articles, websites and books where you can findadditional information.1.2 Learning objectivesAfter reading this handbook, you should beable to:• Understand the benefits of game-basedlearning.• Be aware of successful use of digital games asa learning resource.• Know digital games that you can use asa learning resource in the classroom and theirexpected learning benefits.• Understand the differences between digitalgame genres and their learning benefits.• Understand the requirements for the successfuluse of digital games for learning.• Understand how to assess if a digital game issuitable for the classroom.• Understand digital game ratings and standards.• Know how to organize the classroom for a playsession.• Understand how to promote and apply healthyand safe gaming habits.• Understand how to run a debriefing sessionafter playing the game.• Understand how to maximize the knowledgetransfer so that information acquired in thegame can be re-used at a later stage by pupils.• Understand how to use digital games asa starting point to discuss sensitive issues.4

2. Why usedigital gamesfor learning?Why use games?

Why use digital games for learning?22.1 Change in the perceptionof digital gamesUntil recently, digital games were associated withmany stereotypes and alleged to have negativeeffects on gamers’ physical and mental health.However, later studies have shown that whiledigital games, played beyond a reasonable lengthof time, may have negative effects like any otherexcess, if good gaming habits are followed (eg.appropriate time, environment, moderation ofonline games, etc.) they can be considered a safeand fulfilling activity. The recent success of theNintendo Wii Fit and Nintendo DS (e.g. BrainTraining) illustrates some of the numerous ways inwhich digital games can impact positively onchildren’s health and general well-being.Lately, a new movement identified as SeriousGames has emerged. This movement aims to usenew gaming technologies for educational ortraining purposes. It investigates the educational,therapeutic and social impact of digital games builtwith or without learning outcomes in mind. Thismovement has emerged to meet the needs ofa new generation of learners, often referred to asthe digital natives, whose distinctive characteristicsshould be acknowledged in order to ensuresuccessful learning outcomes and motivation ontheir part. This generation of learners was bornafter the 1970s and has been familiarized withdigital technology from a very young age. They usedigital devices frequently and ICT (Information andCommunications Technology) has almost becometheir native language, a language through whichthey communicate, express themselves andunderstand the world around them. Digital nativesalso play digital games extensively and arepassionately engaged in social networks,sometimes in the form of virtual worlds (SecondLife, There, etc.). They usually engage in activitiesthat reward them for their perseverance, and asa result they expect the same level of reward fromlearning activities. On the other hand, someinstructors and teachers have found it difficult toengage and motivate this generation to take partin traditional learning activities, perhaps becausethe format used for formal teaching has failed tomatch pupils’ needs, preferences andexpectations.Digital natives’ characteristics have beenacknowledged by some educators who haveunderstood that digital games could play animportant part in education or training.These instructors have been using immersiveenvironments and gaming technology in order toreach their students. This shift in teachingpractices has been supported by the recentprogress in gaming technology. It is now easierand less expensive to develop digital games,thanks to game engines, games middleware andMods (modified versions of existing games), whichmake it possible for people with little or noprogramming background to develop digitalgames. As a result, instructors wishing to createan educational digital game can focus on itseducational features rather than its underlying6

technology. For example, Game Maker, I a free,user-friendly game engine, is now used byteachers in several schools to create digital gamesthat suit their class plan or to improve pupils’programming skills. Digital game technology isalso widely used to provide training in a motivatingyet realistic environment for a wide range oftrainees including surgeons, soldiers and firefighters. For example, virtual environments such asSecond Life II have been used to teach biology tostudents or to train firefighters. More recently, theimmersive features of Second Life have beencoupled to Moodle, a Learning ManagementSystem (LMS), to produce Sloodle. Sloodle isa virtual environment where participants cannavigate, explore and attend virtual classrooms.It facilitates communication and collaborationbetween learners and teachers, regardless ofgeographical constraints.2.2 The benefits of digital gamesDigital games include several implicit educationalbenefits. They can develop cognitive, spatial andmotor skills and help improve ICT skills. They canbe used to teach facts (e.g. knowledge, recall, rotelearning or memorization), principles (e.g. causeand effect relationship) and complex problem solving,to increase creativity or to provide practical examplesof concepts and rules that would bedifficult to illustrate in the real world. They can beparticularly useful to perform experiments thatcould be dangerous in real life such as the use ofhazardous chemicals.Despite their instructive features, not all digitalgames are built with learning objectives in mind;however, they all possess intrinsic learningqualities that challenge and foster learners’Why use digital games for learning?2IIIGame Maker is available at: http://www.yoyogames.com/make/Second Life is available at: http:///www.secondlife.com7

Why use digital games for learning?2cognitive abilities. Digital games are based on thepremise that players need to learn, to memorize,to collaborate, to explore or to obtain additionalinformation to progress further in the game.Playing is learning and one of the main advantagesof digital games is their ability to let players learn ina challenging environment, where they can makemistakes and learn by doing. These types ofenvironments might be particularly suited to pupilswho are pragmatically minded. These pupils mightprefer to go through the process of experimenting,instead of regurgitating information. Such anexperience could help them to better understandsome concepts that they might otherwise perceiveas complicated or boring.Digital games promote genuine collaborationbetween users, and are, to some extent, similar tocollaborative learning environments orcollaborative working environments, whereparticipants share information and learn from eachother (e.g. Computer Supported CollaborativeWorking environments). Multiplayer digital gamesdevelop both competition and collaboration, bymotivating players to join teams (or guilds) and tocompete against other teams. For example inMMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games), players can create teams, shareinformation through text and voice and learn byobserving other players. Beginners can learn fromtheir peers and improve their skills.Digital games can have an emotional impact onplayers, increasing their self-esteem (provided thatproper monitoring is applied) and enabling them toengage in social activities. Playing can havea calming effect on participants who, as in otherentertaining activities (e.g. watching films), feela wide range of emotions, but in a safe andcontrolled environment. Emotions experiencedduring play can vary through joy, empathy, anger,8

frustration or triumph. This succession of emotionstends to keep the players immersed. Furthermore,studies have shown that emotions can help thememorization process, especially if the emotionalcontent or tone of the material to be learnedmatches the emotions of the learner. Because theyinduce different emotions in the players, digitalgames might help them to remember facts morevividly and so assist the cognitive process. Digitalgames can increase players’ self-confidence. Thisis achieved by keeping success within their reach(i.e. winnability), making sure that the learningcurve is suitable to their skills and providingfeedback on their progress.2.3 From CBT (Computer-BasedTraining) to digital games forlearningSince the emergence of the first CBT system,computer technologies have evolved significantly,and so have learning theories. The design ofeducational systems has been greatly influencedby trends in educational psychology andinstructional design. For instance, when the firstCBT systems were released, they were based ona number of questions and predefined answersallowing for little interaction with the user.Subsequent systems have included more flexibilityby incorporating tutoring systems. Tutoringsystems added the ability to monitor learners’progress and to adapt pedagogical strategiesdynamically. Although these systems wereeffective, their development costs were sometimesperceived as prohibitive, partly because they werebased on advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI). Lateron, the use of simulation matched the need forlearners to experiment with their mistakes, througha constructivist approach to learning, an approachthat prioritizes learning by doing. Recent learningenvironments are based on virtual reality and builtwith collaboration in mind. They allow participantsto learn from their experience but also to learnfrom their peers. Recent popular digital gamessuch as MMORPGs or virtual communities (e.g.There III , Second Life) inherently include theseaspects. Because collaborative learning occursnaturally in these environments, they have beenconsidered to support traditional teachingmethodologies.2.4 Digital games and the cognitiveprocessEducational theories and Instructional Design canhelp to create learning material and to ensure thatthe learning objectives are achieved by thelearners. Such theories have been used to designschool curricula and training programmes.Amongst existing learning theories, differentapproaches can be applied to ensure successfullearning outcomes. Most educational theories fallinto one of the following categories: cognitivist,behaviourist and constructivist. In behaviouristWhy use digital games for learning?2IIIThere is an online virtual environment where the user can take part in social activities. It is available at: http://www.there.com9

Why use digital games for learning?22 approaches, subjects are not directly responsiblefor their learning activities; instead, they areconditioned to react to a stimulus. In cognitivisttheories, subjects possess an internal map(knowledge), which external events will requirethem to update. In these theories the emphasis ison the underlying cognitive process. Several wellknowntheories have been established under thecognitivist movement, such as transfer effect,whereby learning can be affected by previousknowledge. Finally, in constructivist theories,subjects learn by interacting with their environmentand peers. This involves a process of trial anderror and the learners’ ability to interpret their pastand present experiences to update theirknowledge.Because they were initially designed forentertainment, digital games are not all built basedon Instructional Design theories. However, some ofthem intrinsically implement some well-knownpedagogical concepts. For example, digital gamesusually include high intensity of interaction, specificgoals, a continuous feeling of challenge, anda sense of engagement; these concepts have beenassociated with successful learning environmentsby Norman (1993 1 ). To some extent, digital gamesfeature all approaches – behaviourist, cognitivistand constructivist. However, whereas earlyeducational software placed an emphasis on thefirst two theories, recent digital games, due to theircomplexity and their open-ended and collaborativenature, encourage a constructivist approach tolearning. In digital games, players can elaboratenew theories and hypotheses, test them andreadjust their knowledge and skills accordingly. Newdigital games, which include a 3D environment,advanced AI and realistic physics engines, offera simulation-like environment that reacts to players’actions in a highly realistic manner.10

Why use digital games for learning?In term of cognition and learning process, digitalgames can be analysed through well-knownmodels such as Carroll’s minimalist theory (1990 2 ,1998 3 ), Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development(ZPD) (1978 4 ) or Kolb’s basic learning model(1975 5 ). For example, the basic learning modelillustrates the process of accretation wherebystudents modify their internal map (or knowledge)based on the information and feedback obtainedfrom their previous actions. They successively gothrough active experiments, concrete experiences,reflective observations, abstract conceptualizations211

Why use digital games for learning?2and back to active experiments. To some extent,the cycle of learning events experienced in digitalgames can be compared to Kolb’s learning cycle:the players experience something discordant ora failure (failure to win); they subsequently need toreflect and identify the cause of the failure. Followingthis analysis, they formulate hypotheses on thecause(s) of the failure, plan actions that might helpthem to overcome the problem and then test andassess their hypotheses. Likewise, according toVygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD),learners should be assisted with scaffoldings andbe progressively made more and moreindependent. As they improve their skills, less andless help is provided. Learners’ independence andmeta-cognitive skills are improved gradually. Thisprinciple can also be found in digital games, whichoffer an easy learning curve and are usually forgivingin the first levels, so that players can progressivelyfamiliarize themselves with the game’s mechanicsand become proficient. However, players need tolearn new skills to succeed, and, to some extent, totake responsibility for learning. This ability of digitalgames to engage children and motivate them tolearn in order to succeed is by far the mostinteresting feature that could help instructors tomake learning a more engaging and motivatingactivity.2.5 Digital games and motivationOne of the foremost qualities of digital games istheir capacity to motivate, to engage and toimmerse players. Digital games include a richvariety of auditory, tactile, visual and intellectualstimuli that make them both enjoyable and, tosome extent, addictive. During play, users areimmersed in a state of flow (Csíkszentmihályi,1990 6 ), a state in which they can forget about theirsurroundings and become totally engaged andfocused on the task in hand. In this state, providedthat they possess sufficient skills, players will striveto achieve their goal, regardless of the challenges12

encountered. Players’ motivation can be triggeredor hindered by many different factors such as thegame play, the graphics, the interface or the gamegenre. Players’ behaviours in digital gamesdepend on their personality and aspirations.Therefore, the relevance of the reward offered inthe game might differ across players. Whereassome players value exploration, other might preferhighly complex scenarios, where more strategicskills are required; some of them will enjoy verysimple games with a linear scenario thatnecessitates a short time of play to succeed.Cultural background and gender might alsoinfluence the motivation to play games.2.6 Successful applications ofdigital gamesDigital games have already been used for training,educational or therapeutic purposes. Some of themost common uses of serious games are listedbelow.2.6.1 Military and firefighter trainingIn the military sector, MMORPGs are used notonly to recruit soldiers but also to teach themstrategic skills. For example, America’s Army IV hasbeen used to recruit soldiers and as a trainingresource by the American government. It is nowavailable as a commercial digital game, which hasbeen successful.2.6.2 Fitness, mental and physicalhealthThe technology available for 3D-based digitalgames has made it possible to create highlyrealistic environments and simulations. Thisremarkable level of detail has been used to curepost-traumatic stress or phobias (Emmelkamp etal., 2001 7 ). When they are immersed in a safe butrealistic environment, patients can learn to copewith their fears while feeling in control. Digitalgames have also been used to relax patientsbefore surgery so as to reduce theirapprehension V . Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit haverecently been employed and assessed for theirpotential to improve health and fitness and it wasshown that, when used as part of a balancedlifestyle, these consoles can help to improvefitness and general health (ISSA, 2007 8 ). Digitalgames have also been employed successfully foradults with chronic illnesses.2.6.3 Learning by creating digitalgamesExperiments have been conducted in whichstudents were required to create their own digitalgames using a game engine. These initiativesmade it possible for students to understandprogramming principles, while collaborating withtheir peers. For example, the game engine GameMaker is used in several schools. It consists ofWhy use digital games for learning?2IVVhttp://www.americasarmy.comhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6687019/13

Why use digital games for learning?2intuitive drag and drop tools to create 2D and 3Ddigital games which can then be uploaded ontothe publisher’s website VI and made available fordownload. This type of development tool benefitstechnical and collaborative skills and the creationof online communities.2.6.4 Mobile development andaugmented realityUsing augmented reality, it is possible to obtainrelevant information on one’s surroundings througha digital device (e.g. helmet or mobile phone). Dueto their popularity, handheld devices have beencombined with augmented reality in projects wheremobility and location were significant factors forlearning activities. For example, in Savannah VII ,a strategy-based adventure game, children usetheir mobile phones, and have to successfullyadopt strategies followed by lions to survive VIII .Similarly, in the Museum Augmented Reality Quest(MARK), players are equipped with a handheldgame console. They visit a museum and are askedto complete tasks and challenges. The handheldconsole is used to provide them with additionalinformation on artifacts found in the museum andto interact virtually with them (Schmalstieg andDieter, 2007 9 ).2.6.5 Raising awarenessDigital games have been adopted to raiseawareness and to help discuss topics that can betaboo, such as pollution, environmental threats,sexual health or bullying. For example, in therecently developed digital game Global Conflicts:Latin America IX , the player impersonatesa journalist who conducts an investigation touncover the causes and consequences ofindustrial pollution in South America. Likewise, inthe digital game Darfur is Dying X , playersimpersonate refugees in Darfur camps. Throughtheir journey, players are led to understand thehorror of genocide.2.6.6 Learning historyDigital games have been used in primary andsecondary schools to illustrate concepts inscience, history or geography. For example, thedigital game Civilization III was used in Americanschools to teach history (Squire, 2004 10 ). Similarexperiments were carried out in Danish schools(Egenfeldt-Nielsen, 2007 11 ) using EuropaUniversalis II.VIVIIhttp://www.yoyogames.comhttp://www.experientia.com/playful/creating-the-user-experience-of-an-educational-and-strategy-based-adventure-game/VIIIIXXhttp://www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/savannahhttp://www.globalconflicts.eu/http://www.darfurisdying.com/14

3. Choosingthe appropriategameChoice of games

Choosing the appropriate game3Digital games can be delivered in various formatsincluding CD-ROMS, DVDs, or online. Thefollowing sections will help you as a teacher tounderstand the different game genres, their keyfeatures and educational benefits.3.1 Taxonomy of digital gamesand associated benefitsBefore choosing a game, it is important tounderstand the different genres available and howto identify them. The following list classifies anddescribes different game genres. Their potentiallearning applications and benefits are underlined.• Shooters (and shoot ’em ups): In thesegames, players have to win by shooting theiropponents. Shooters can be static or scrolling.In static shooters, the battlefield is restricted tothe size of the screen, whereas in scrollingshooters, only part of the battlefield isdisplayed, and the screen scrolls horizontally orvertically. Beat ’em ups also belong to thiscategory. In these games the players need tofight opponents. Shooter games placeemphasis on reflexes and coordination, ratherthan strategy. Recent digital games based onthis genre, such as Re-Mission XI or ImmuneAttack XII , have been used to introduce basicconcepts of immunology or cancer treatment.• Bat and ball games: In these games, playersuse a bat to hit a ball. One of the first digitalgames based on this principle was Pong XIII ;since then, many variations have flourished,including Breakout, a game in which playershave to hit a ball that travels across the screenand strikes and destroys bricks. Someeducational games have been based on thisgenre, including 10 Finger BreakOut XIV , a gamethat teaches typing skills.• Platformers: In these games, players movethrough an environment where they need toprogress to platforms (hence the name). Mariowas one of the most popular platformer games ofits generation. Platformers are usually based onhand-eye coordination, and educational versionsof these games have been developed to teachgeography (e.g. Mario is Missing XV ), reading (e.g.Mario’s Early Years: Fun with Letters) or typingskills (e.g. Mario Teaches Typing).• Puzzles: In these games, players have to solvea puzzle to progress further in the game. Thegameplay usually occurs within a static screen.Tetris is one of the most popular puzzle games.Puzzle games are essentially based on strategy.Educational versions of puzzle games have beendeveloped to teach mathematics (e.g.PrimeTime Adventure or Rocky’s Boots XVI ).XIXIIXIIIhttp://www.re-mission.net/http://fas.org/immuneattack/http://www.pong-story.com/atpong2.htmXIVXVXVIhttp://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f955.htmlhttp://www.nintendo8.com/game/628/mario_is_missing/http://prime-time-math-adventure.taylor-clark-software.qarchive.org/http://www.warrenrobinett.com/rockysboots/16

• Mazes: In these games, players have to navigatethrough a maze and are chased by enemies thatthey have to avoid. These games usually offera view from above and require strategy, forwardplanning skills and reflexes. Pacman is one of themost successful Maze games. An educationalversion of Pacman called PacWriter XVII has beencreated to improve typing skills.• Sport Games: These games simulate popularsports such as football, golf or basketball.They are available in 2D or 3D. They requirecoordination and strategy, especially if theplayer has to manage a team.• Racing Games: In these games, players takepart in a race, driving a car, a motorbike ora spaceship. Racing Academy XVIII is based onthis genre and is used to increase learners’familiarity with engineering concepts. Researchhas shown that this digital game has helpedpupils to understand engineering notions(Sandford and Williamson, 2004 12 ).• RTS (Real Time Strategy): These gamesare essentially based on strategy. The playerscontrol both the economic and military aspectsof an army or population and have to take faststrategic decisions. In a study by Jenkins andSquire (2003 13 ), it was shown how Civilization III,a popular RTS game, could be used in schoolsto help pupils understand geography andhistory.• RPG (Role Playing Games): In thesegames, players impersonate a fictionalcharacter. This character has several featuresthat can evolve through play, such as health,strength or other skills. For example, SimCity XIXis a popular RPG game that makes it possiblefor players to build cities and to understandurban management.• FPS (First Person Shooters): In these digitalgames, players see the world through the eyesof the character they are impersonating (firstperson view) and need to eliminate enemies inorder to progress further. These games can beplayed individually or collectively. They generallyinclude violent content. However, if the game isplayed within a team, these games can promotecollaboration. Mods of these games have beencreated for educational purposes. For example,DimensionM XX is an FPS developed to help andencourage the learning of mathematics.It has been shown that this game hada significant positive impact on learners’academic performance and motivation (Kebritchiet al., 2008).Choosing the appropriate game3XVIIXVIIIhttp://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f2998.htmlhttp://www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/racing-academyXIXXXhttp://simcity.ea.com/play/simcity_classic.phphttp://www.dimensionm.com/17

Choosing the appropriate game3• MMORPG (Massive Multiple OnlineRole-Playing Games):MMORPGs are a variation of RPGs, in whicha large number of players interact in an onlinevirtual world. These digital games area valuable basis for collaborative andexploratory activities.• Educational versions of existing boardgames or TV game shows have also beenreleased. For example, Stu’s DoubleJeopardy XXI is based on the well-known TVshow Jeopardy and can be used in classroomsto teach any topic in an interactive manner.• Adventure games: In these digital games,the gameplay is based on story telling.Players navigate through a complex world,collecting objects and overcoming challengesuntil they reach the final goal. This game genre,initially based on text, has evolved to include2D (e.g. King’s Quest XXII ) and 3D graphics (e.g.EverQuest XXIII ).The following table includes possibleeducational uses of existing commercial digitalgames.XXIXXIIXXIIIhttp://jeopardygame.wordpress.com/http://www.vintage-sierra.com/kingsquest.phphttp://everquest.station.sony.com/18

Table 1: List of some popular commercial games and their learning benefitsGameDevelopers / PublishersLearning BenefitsAge of Empires IIAge of MythologyBioscopiaChemicusCivilization IIIMaking History: The Calmand the StormNancy Drew: Message ina Haunted MansionOregon TrailPharaohReader RabbitReturn of the Incredible MachineContraptionsRoller Coaster Tycoon 3ToontownWhere in Time is Carmen SantiagoWorld of WarcraftZoombinis Logical JourneyEnsemble Studios/Microsoft Games StudiosEnsemble Studios/Microsoft Games StudiosViva MediaViva MediaFiraxis GamesMuzzy LaneHer InteractiveThe Learning CompanyVivendi UniversalThe Learning CompanyVivendi UniversalFrontier Developments/AtariSony Creative SoftwareThe Learning CompanyBlizzard EntertainmentThe Learning CompanyHistory, strategy and resourcemanagementMythology, strategy and resourcemanagementZoology, cellular biology, human biology,botany and geneticsChemistryPlanning and problem solvingHistory, World War II, economicmanagement and negotiationInvestigation, deduction and puzzle solvingHistory, geography, mathematics, logicalreasoning, strategy, resource managementand readingEgyptian civilization, strategy andmanagementReading and spellingProblem-solving skills and physicsManagement, kinetic and potential energySocial collaborationDiscovery and logicCollaborative learningLogic and algebraWhereas the previous games were not initially built with educational objectives, other games, referred to asserious games, XXIV were built to teach, train or raise awareness. They can be news games (journalistic gamesreporting on current events), simulation games (games using strategy and simulating several aspects of reality)or organizational-dynamic games (games used to teach the dynamics of organizations).Choosing the appropriate game3XXIVThe definition of 'serious games' can vary19

Table 2: List of some popular educational games and their learning benefitsGameDevelopers / PublishersLearning BenefitsChoosing the appropriate game3Global Conflict: PalestineGlobal Conflict:Latin AmericaTimez AttackVirtual Leader3D World FarmerDimensionMAmerica’s ArmyDarfur is DyingFood ForceRe-MissionRevolutionSimPortPower PoliticsImmune AttackMissingVirtual UDoomeDCyber Budget(French version only)Serious Games InteractiveSerious Games InteractiveBig BrainzSimulearn3D World Farmer TeamTabula DigitaUBI SoftmtvU/Reebok Human RightsFoundation/International Crisis GroupDeepend/Playerthree for UnitedNations World Food ProgrammeHopeLabThe Education ArcadeTygronKellogg Creek Software/CineplayFederation of AmericanScientists/Escape Hatch EntertainmentLiveWires DesignEnlight SoftwareDESQ/University of WolverhamptonParaschool/French Minister forEconomy, Finance and IndustryUnderstand the Palestinian conflictUnderstand the causes and consequences ofindustrial pollution in South AmericaImprove algebra skillsUnderstand leadershipUnderstand the difficulties faced by farmers in AfricaImprove algebra skillsMilitary trainingUnderstand the living conditionsin Darfur refugee campsLearn about disaster relief, food logisticsand deliveryUnderstand how to help and improve the lifeof people living with cancerLearn about the American RevolutionUnderstand the challenges involved inconstructing large infrastructuresUnderstand the processes involved in the USpresidential campaignUnderstand how the immune system worksUnderstand how to surf the Web safelyUnderstand the managementof American universitiesLearn about scienceUnderstand how to manage public finances20

3.2 Understanding digital games’technical requirementsIt is difficult for teachers to find software that issuited to their computer lab and to pupils’ homecomputers. High computer technicalspecifications, such as processor speed, graphiccard or screen resolution, can sometimes preventthe use of digital games in schools wherecomputers are not up-to-date. Whereascommercial off-the-shelf digital games may requirehigh technical specifications, those available onthe Internet in the form of Flash XXV or Java XXVIApplets may impose fewer constraints, other thanthe installation of plug-ins (which are ofteninstalled by default on the computer). Digitalgames available on the Internet can be playedwithin the browser window. They usually offera very intuitive interface and require lessprocessing power. They are generally available inthe form of mini-games, with challenges that canbe solved quickly. They also use relatively simpleinteraction techniques, and are therefore suitablefor people with little or no experience of digitalgames.Before choosing a game for the classroom, youshould check the specifications of thecomputer room and try to answer the followingquestions:XXVXXVIhttp://ww.adobe.com/flash/http://www.java.sun.com/• Which operating software is required for thegame?• How much RAM (Random Access Memory) isrecommended for the game to functionproperly?• How much hard drive space is needed to installthe game?• Does the game need to be played overa network or an Internet connection?• What type of input device is needed to interactwith the game (joystick, keyboard or mouse)?Answering all these questions will help you toassess if the digital game you wish to use issuitable for the school’s computers. Not takingthese features into consideration at an early stagecould result in a frustrating experience for thepupils (e.g. lack of responsiveness or inability to gofurther in the game). The type of input used in thegame should be assessed based on pupils’ ageand skills. For instance, answering questions byselecting the correct option with the mouse mightbe more suitable than typing the solution. Thelatter option requires a higher level of proficiency inspelling. Pupils’ home machine specificationsshould also be considered. Enabling pupils to playthe game at home in their spare time will helpthem to become more familiar with the interfaceand improve their skills. In this case, you will needto make sure that the technology required for thedigital game is available in most computers usedby pupils at home.Choosing the appropriate game321

3.3 Understanding digital gamerating and standardsViolence: game contains depictionsof violenceChoosing the appropriate gameBeyond practical considerations, you shoulddetermine if the content of the digital game issuitable for the pupils in terms of age and content.This choice can be guided by existing ratingstandards. For example, PEGI XXVII (Pan EuropeanGame Information) is a European digital gamerating system. It is supported by most gamepublishers and developers in Europe. This ratingsystem helps to ensure that the content of a gameis suitable for the target audience. It is a voluntarysystem used in 32 European countries, but is onlyenforced in two (Finland and Norway).PEGI consists of two levels of information to guidethe consumer. First, a logo that represents theminimum recommended age (the age categoriesare: 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18).Bad Language: game contains badlanguageFear: game might be frightening orscary for young childrenSex: game depicts nudity and/orsexual behaviour or sexual referencesDrugs: game refers to or depicts theuse of drugs (including alcohol andtabaco)Discrimination: game containsdepiction of or material which mayencourage discrimination.Gambling: game encourages orteaches gambling.Online: game can be played online3A series of game content descriptors, designed asicons, are displayed on the back of the game boxand indicate, where required, the nature of thecontent.There are 8 icons, depending on the type ofcontent.More information on PEGI is available on the officialwebsite XXVIII . This website makes it possible to find agame XXIX according to the country in which it ispublished, the age rating, the game genre or thepublisher.XXVIIhttp://www.pegi.infoXXVIIIXXIXhttp://www.pegi.info/en/index/id/33/http://www.pegi.info/en/index/global_id/505/22

Choosing the appropriate game3.4 What to look for in a digitalgame: Testing the gameOnce you have found a suitable game to supportyour lessons, you should play-test the game tocheck if the content is appropriate for the pupilsand suitable for the topic taught. Also, be sure tocomplete all training tutorials and read relevantmaterial beforehand. The following points shouldbe observed:Technical considerations:User interface: The interface should be clear,intuitive and easy to use. Some children mightstop enjoying the digital game because they find it323

Choosing the appropriate game3difficult to perform common tasks such asnavigating through the menus or moving the maincharacter.Saving and loading the game: The gameshould enable players to save the current level andto resume the game at a later stage. This will beparticularly useful if the computer rooms are onlyavailable for short periods of time.Audio: If the game features sounds, a mutebutton should be available.Customization: You should check if it is possibleto customize the game (e.g. character, colour,scenario or level of difficulty). Customization makesthe gaming experience more personal and keepsplayers challenged (e.g. by level of difficulty).Contextual considerations:Age group: The activities and type of skillsrequired for the game should be suitable for thetargeted age group.Language: The level of the language used shouldbe adequate for the age group.Time: You need to estimate the time required tocomplete challenges to ensure that pupils will haveenough time to finish the game levels and benefitfrom their educational features. Completion timewill vary across games. Whereas mini-gamesavailable on the Internet are usually designed to becompleted relatively quickly, adventure games orRPGs might require several hours or days to becompleted. For the latter, it is good practice toplan the playing session over a week or more, sothat pupils can learn at their own pace andbecome familiar with the mechanics of the game.In addition, games can also be used after schoolas homework.Taking account of people with disabilities:You should check if the digital gameaccommodates people with disabilities (see nextchapter for more information on digital gamesdesigned for this audience).Network games: If the game is played over theInternet and involves interaction betweenparticipants (e.g. text or chat), care should betaken to prevent bullying and to use mechanismsto detect and condemn such behaviours. It is veryimportant for children to feel safe while playingdigital games, and to know that they can reportunacceptable behaviour if it is encountered.Pedagogical considerations:Learning curve: The game should use an easylearning curve, allowing players to make mistakesat the start.Educational content: The game content shouldillustrate the topics taught. Even if the content isnot closely related to the curriculum, it shouldprovide a clear and simplified representation ofsome of the concepts taught.Clear objectives: Teacher should ensure that theobjectives of the game are stated clearly, so thatchildren know exactly what they are required todo. Frustrating situations can arise from vagueinstructions. In this case, children might feel stuck,because they don’t know how to progress furtherin the game.24

Clear progression: The teacher should checkwhether the progression of the player is displayedat all times in the form of a score or progressionbar. This will help children to have a positiveattitude to their performance, and show them thattheir actions have an influence on theirprogression. This should motivate players to takeresponsibility for their learning activities.Feedback: Feedback provided to players shouldbe gentle. Verbal guidance or hints can help tomaintain their focus.Opportunities for collaboration and groupwork: It is good to use digital games that enableplayers to take part in collaborative activities.Assessment and follow-up: Software thattracks pupils’ progress enables you to analyseareas that are misunderstood and where morework is required. Not all software includes thisfeature, but some of it is SCORM-compliant(Sharable Content Object Reference Model) andcan be integrated into a Learning ManagementSystem (LMS). A Learning Management Systemwill make it possible for you to follow the progressof your pupils and to identify areas where moreattention and work is required.Opportunities for creativity: You should checkwhether the material included in the digital gamecan encourage pupils’ creativity by enabling themto make and share objects.Help: A Help section should be available andcomprehensive. If possible, you should print it andhave it ready for pupils before they start playingthe digital game.3.5 Taking account of childrenwith disabilities3.5.1 Games for visually impairedpeopleSome recent games accommodate visualimpairment, and can be mainstream digital gamesand audio games. XXX AudioGames.net XXXI andBlindstick.com XXXII provide information on audiogames and blind-accessible games. XXXIIIEducational digital games suitable for people withimpaired vision include Terraformers, XXXIV TalkingTyping Teacher XXXV (typing skills), Braille Twister XXXVI(learn Braille) and Quality Quizz XXXVII (trivia game).When using mainstream digital games, you needXXX Audio games are digital games that can be played basedonly on audio cues.XXXI http://www.audiogames.net/XXXII http://www.whitestick.co.uk/XXXIII http://www.audiogames.net/listgames.phpXXXIV http://www.terraformers.nu/XXXV http://www.braillebookstore.com/view.php?C=Talking+Typing+Teacher+for+WindowsXXXVI http://www.mynebulous.com/comp145/XXXVII http://www.braillebookstore.com/view.php?C=Quality+Quiz+for+WindowsChoosing the appropriate game325

Choosing the appropriate game3to check whether buttons can be read aloud and ifother information can be delivered through audiocues. To help reading onscreen information in thedigital game, screen readers and screenmagnifiers can be used.3.5.2 Games for people with anauditory disabilityTo make auditory information available to peoplewith an auditory disability, closed captioning issometimes available in digital games, enablingpeople to see the meaning of auditory informationsuch as text or sound effects. Popular commercialdigital games that feature closed captions includeZork: Grand Inquisitor, Half-life 2 and SiN Episode1: Emergence. Some other commercial digitalgames make extensive use of text for dialogues,feedback or tutorials and are therefore alsosuitable for people with an auditory disability.These games XXXVIII include: Zoo Tycoon, The Sims,Chariot of War, Age of Mythology, Civilization,Nancy Drew, Pharaoh, and World of Warcraft.3.5.3 Games for people witha learning disabilityAlthough players with a mild disability will be able toplay most mainstream digital games, some of thesegames might not be suited to specific disabilities.For example, people with dyscalculia XXXIX might findit problematic to play games that involve basicmathematics (e.g. counting). Likewise, people withdyslexia have difficulties playing digital games wherethe information is delivered essentially through text.People with ADD/ADHD XL might find it difficult toplay games with no immediate feedback or gamesthat require prolonged periods of play. You shouldtherefore test the game and identify issues thatmight arise depending on pupils’ learningdisabilities. Some digital games have beenspecifically designed to help particular learningdisabilities, and might be used in the classroom. Forexample, Brigadoon XLI is a digital game based onSecond Life. It is designed for people with autismand Asperger syndrome to help them to socializeand to interact with other people.3.5.4 Games for people witha physical disabilityFor people with physical disabilities, digital gamescan be made accessible by choosing a dedicatedcontroller and also thanks to mechanisms provided inthe game itself or by the operating system. Forexample, slow-motion gameplay enables players witha physical disability to go through part of the gamewhere the action is intense. It is important for playersto be able to customize the controls and to useexternal controllers. One-switch digital games aresuitable for players with severe physical disabilitybecause they only require one or two buttons XLII .XXXVIII These games also have an educational benefit.XXXIX People who have difficulties in handling everyday maths functions.XL Attention Deficit [Hyperactivity] Disorder.XLIXLIIhttp://braintalk.blogs.com/brigadoon/2005/01/about_brigadoon.htmlSeveral one-switch digital games can be found onhttp://www.oneswitch.org.uk26

4. Conductinga play sessionPlay session

4.1 Organizing a play sessionConducting a play session44.1.1 How to organize the class andthe classroomOnce you have tested the game and decided touse it as an educational resource, you will need toidentify the scenario that you think will be mostbeneficial to support your students. Several keypoints should be considered:Technical and contextual points:• If the digital game uses sound and if theactivities are not of a collaborative nature, youshould ensure that pupils use headphones.• Depending on the type of game and on thelearning objectives, you may need to creategroups. This will be very effective to engagechildren in discussions or collaborativeactivities.• Take breaks: it is good practice to encouragechildren to take regular five-minute breaksevery 45 minutes.• Make sure that the light in the room issufficient and adequate. This can avoidoccurrences of epilepsy seizures.Pedagogical points:Before the lesson:• Identify learning objectives.• Identify what part of the game or levels mightbest support the learning objectives.• Print the list of objectives and help section (orbooklet) of the game to give to the students.During the lesson:• Begin by explaining the objectives of thesession.• Demonstrate the game and explain howcommon tasks are performed (e.g. accessingHelp, navigating through menus or moving thecharacter).28

4.1.2 Promoting good, safe andhealthy gaming habitsLike any other form of activity, digital gamesshould be used wisely and appropriately.Therefore, you as teachers, and also parents andpupils, should be informed of good gaming habits.Following these guidelines should help to ensurethat digital games do not negatively affectchildren’s physical and mental health.Teachers and parents need to regulate theamount of time during which children play.Children might be asked to set the length of theplay session themselves. Some children may find ithard to stop playing but this could be due to thefact that they are trying to avoid boredom. It isgood practice to encourage children to playdifferent types of game genres to challenge themin different ways. For example, children mightalternate between action games, strategy gamesand puzzles.Children should be encouraged to exerciseregularly in addition to playing digital games,except of course if these digital games includeexercising. In addition, it is important tocommunicate with them and take the time to listento their success in the adventure they haveundertaken. They should also be made aware ofpotential issues and risks such as bullying and beinformed of the resources they can contact tocomplain.Finally, information should be provided to yourteacher colleagues, parents and course-boardmembers on the pedagogical process, thepreparation and the learning objectives of gamebased-learning.This information should be givenbefore and while using the game.4.2 Evaluating and strengtheningpupils’ knowledge througha debriefing session4.2.1 General considerations toconduct a debriefing sessionDigital games can promote many different cognitiveskills; however, some of the aptitudes needed tomake a connection between the game and thecurriculum, such as reflection, observation,prediction or theory-building, are not always builtinto the digital game. It is therefore necessary toinclude a debriefing session through which pupilswill have an opportunity to reflect on the content ofthe game, and to share the knowledge that theyhave acquired. The debriefing session can also beused to ask children to explain how they feel aboutthe digital game and describe their achievements orfrustrations. Debriefing sessions are a way to makea link between the game and the learningoutcomes. During a debriefing session, you shouldencourage pupils to relate to their experience andto discuss what they have learned while playing.You might ask students to compare the differentmethods or techniques presented in the digitalConducting a play session429

Conducting a play session4game, or to describe the different solutions theyhave tried, and identify the ones that have workedfor them. If the game is used to discuss sensitiveissues, the characters of the story can be used asthe starting point for discussion. Pupils might beasked to comment on the behaviour of somecharacters, the consequences of their acts andpossible actions to solve the issues. After runningthe debriefing session, you should summarize thedifferent points brought forward in the discussion30

and the learning objectives of the session. Youshould also ask pupils to summarize what theyhave learned from the digital game. This will help toformalize and memorize the concepts and ideasintroduced. The issues raised during the debriefingsession can then be referred to during formalclasses.The strategy for the debriefing session issummarized below:• Review learning objectives.• Ask pupils to answer questions stated at thestart of the session.• Ask pupils to relate to their experience.• Initiate discussions.• Make the link between the game experienceand the learning objectives.• Summarize findings.• During formal classes, refer to findings madewhile playing the game.4.2.2 General understandingof the gameAfter playing a digital game, pupils should havea good understanding of its goal and objectives.They need to understand the purpose andchallenges raised by the game. Asking pupils thefollowing questions will help you to assess theirgeneral understanding of the game:• Where and when does the scene take place?• What is the goal of the game?• Who is the main character?• What are the main challenges faced by themain character?• What do you need to do to be successful inthis game?• What items do you use to help you pursueyour quest?• What prevents you from achieving your goal?(e.g. characters, events, etc.)• What are the main issues raised by the game?• Who are the main protagonists?4.2.3 General understanding of theissues raised by the gameWhen you have ensured that pupils haveunderstood the general goals of the game, it istime to check that they understand the underlyingideas or topics introduced by the game so thata link can be established between the game andthe topic taught. For this purpose, you can ask thefollowing questions:• What is the main topic of the game?• Do the events that take place in the gameremind you of something you know, orsomething you have heard of from yourfriends, family or on TV?• Why do you think this topic is important?• What did you learn from this game?Conducting a play session431

4.2.4 Linking game concepts to reallifeConducting a play sessionWhile pupils might understand the game's goals, itis particularly important that they understand keyprinciples in the digital game that mirror real lifeconcepts. You might especially ask them toexplain key actions in the game and theirconsequences. For example, if you have chosento use the game Global Conflicts: Latin America toexplain industrial pollution in South America, youcould ask the following questions:• What are the causes of pollution in SouthAmerica?• What are the effects of industrial pollution onpeople living near maquiladoras?• What would happen if all maquiladoras wereclosed-down?4.2.5 Factual information4Before starting the game, you should give a list offactual information that pupils need to gather whileplaying. After the game, they will need to showthat they have remembered important locations,names or dates from the game.32

5. FrequentlyAskedQuestionsQuestions

Frequently Asked QuestionsAre digital games bad for pupils’ health?If children are taught healthy and safe habitsand if a balance is maintained between playand other activities, digital games can bea fulfilling activity with little or no risk.How can I make sure that the digitalgame I have chosen is appropriate formy pupils?You need to check the game rating and to playthe game yourself to assess whether it isappropriate in terms of language, violence andeducational content.How can I make sure children will learnfrom the game?Our machines are very old and can’t rungames supplied on CD-ROMS. What areour options?If your machines’ specifications are inadequatefor games supplied on a CD-ROM, you mighttry Java or Flash-based games. These games(especially those using Flash) are lightweightand not so processor-intensive.We have a very low budget for digitalgames. How can we obtain good-valuegames for learning?Whereas COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf)games can be expensive, many other digitalgames with educational benefits can be usedfor free. Alternatively, digital games can berented.5Not all digital games are built with educationalobjectives in mind. However, some can provesuccessful in teaching or in introducing basicprinciples. The most important part is thedebriefing session, because it enables you tomake a link between the game content andthe learning objectives.How can I know whether children willenjoy the game?It is very difficult to know exactly what gamechildren will or won’t like. However, a goodstarting point is to read the reviews provided inonline forums and magazines.34

Can digital games replace traditionalclasses?No. Digital games cannot replace traditionalclasses. However, they can considerably helpto involve and to motivate children. Somechildren might find some topics very difficult tounderstand until they experience them throughplay, and digital games can provide them withthis opportunity. In this regard, digital games donot replace traditional classes but insteadprovide an additional way to reach children andenable them to understand topics that theymight otherwise find too complicated.Is there any evidence that digitalgames can help learning?Yes. Several reports have shown that digitalgames can be used effectively in schools toimprove both learning and motivation. Theresource section lists some of these reports.Frequently Asked Questions535

6. Resources forteachersResources

6.1 Further reading on the use ofdigital games for learning6.1.2 Reports on the use of digitalgames for learningResources for teachers6.1.1 Books on the learning benefitsof digital gamesGee, J. P. (2008).What Digital Games Have to Teach UsAbout Learning and Literacy. New York &Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.Prensky, M. (2006).Don't Bother Me Mom – I'm Learning!St. Paul, MN.: Paragon House Publishers.Shaffer, D. W. (2008).How Computer Games Help Children Learn.New York & Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.European Schoolnet (2009). Games inSchools XLIII . Final report available at:http://games.eun.org/upload/gisfull_report_en.pdf.Synthesis report available at:http://games.eun.org/upload/gissynthesis_report_en.pdfFuturelab (2007). Teaching with Games. Finalreport available at:http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/project_reports/teaching_with_games/TWG_report.pdfISSA Press Release (2007). Digital games MayOffer Health Benefits, Experts Suggest.Available at: http://www.issaonline.com/pressroom/downloads/exertainment.pdfBECTA (2006). Computer Games in Education:Report. Available at:http://partners.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=rh&rid=135956XLIIIOf particular interest are the case studies providing concrete examplesof the use of games in European classrooms, described in brief in thesynthesis report and in detail in the complete final report.BECTA (2006). The Becta Review: Evidence onthe Progress of ICT in Education. Available at:http://publications.becta.org.uk/download.cfm?resID=25948Teem (2002). Report on the Educational Use ofDigital games. Available at:http://www.teem.org.uk/publications/teem_gamesined_full.pdf38

6.2 Web portals for digitalgames for learninghttp://www.ramogames.com/http://CoolMath4kids.comhttp://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/http://www.vocabulary.co.il/http://www.vocabulary.co.il/http://www.SpellingCity.com/http://hotpot.uvic.ca/http://www.BrainPOP.comhttp://www.interactivestuff.org/sums4fun/colquiz.htmlhttp://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Games/http://funschool.kaboose.com/http://www.prongo.com/games/http://www.thekidzpage.com/learninggames/index.htmhttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_menu.htmhttp://www.gamequarium.com/http://www.kidsgames.org/http://www.theproblemsite.com/http://www.funbrain.com/http://www.primarygames.com/Resources for teachers639

Glossary of termsADDADHDAttention Deficit DisorderAttention Deficit and HyperactivityGlossary of termsAICBTGBLFPSLMSMODDisorderArtificial IntelligenceComputer Based TrainingGame Based LearningFirst Person ShooterLearning Management SystemModified version of a Digital gameMMORPGRAMRPGRTSSCORMMassive Multiplayer Online RolePlaying GamesRandom Access MemoryRole Playing GameReal Time Strategy GameSharable Content Object ReferenceModel40

1 Norman, D. A. (1993). Things that MakeUs Smart: Defending Human Attributes inthe Age of the Machine. New York:Addison-Wesley.2 Carroll, J. M. (1990). The NurnbergFunnel. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.3 Carroll, J. M. (1998). Minimalism beyondthe Nurnberg Funnel. Cambridge, MA:MIT Press.4 Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society:The Development of Higher PsychologicalProcesses. Cambridge, MA: HarvardUniversity Press.5 Kolb, D. A. and Fry, R. (1975). Toward anapplied theory of experiential learning.In C. Cooper (ed.) Theories of GroupProcess, London: John Wiley.6 Csíkszentmihályi, M. (1990). Flow:The Psychology of Optimal Experience.New York: Harper and Row.7 Emmelkamp, P. M. G., Bruynzeel, M.,Drost, L., van der Mast, C. A. P. G. (2001).Virtual Reality treatment in acrophobia:a comparison with exposure in vivo.Cyberpsychology & Behavior. June 2001,4(3): 335-339.8 ISSA (International Sports SciencesAssociation) Press Release (2007).Digital games May Offer Health Benefits,Experts Suggest. Available at:http://www.issaonline.com/pressroom/downloads/exertainment.pdf9 Schmalstieg, D. and Wagner, D. (2007).Experiences with Handheld AugmentedReality. Proceedings of the 6 th IEE andACM International Symposium on Mixedand Augmented Reality (ISMAR 2007),3-15.10 Squire, K. (2004). Replaying History:Learning World History through PlayingCivilization III. Available at:http://website.education.wisc.edu/kdsquire/dissertation.htmlReferences41

References11 Egenfeldt-Nielsen (2007). EducationalPotential of Computer Games. London:Continuum.12 Sandford, R., and Williamson, B. (2004).Racing Academy: A Futurelab prototyperesearch report. Available at:http://www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/project_reports/Racing_Academy_research_report.pdf13 Squire, K. and Jenkins, H. (2004).Harnessing the power of games ineducation. Insight, 3 (5), 7-33.14 Kebritchi, M., Hirumi, A. and Bai, H. (2008).The Effects of Modern Math ComputerGames on Learners’ Math Achievementand Math Course Motivation in a PublicHigh School Setting. Available at:http://www.dimensionm.com/docs/UCFResearch_Brief_June_202008.pdf42

This handbook has been written in the framework of European Schoolnet's Games inSchools project which began in January 2008 and ended in June 2009. The project'saim was to analyse the current situation in eight countries (Austria, Denmark, France,Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Spain and UK) with regard to games based learning.It is composed of various elements, including a synthesis and final report based onthe results of a Europe-wide teachers' survey, case studies and interviews withrelevant national policy makers, researchers and experts, as well as an onlinecommunity of practice and finally the present teachers' handbook.This handbook is intended for teachers interested in using digital games in theirlessons. It provides the necessary information to understand the educational benefitsof digital games and to learn how to use them as educational and motivationalresources. After reading this handbook, teachers should be able to make informeddecisions on the choice and use of digital games in the classroom, and obtain all thebenefits digital games can offer.European Schoolnet (EUN - www.europeanschoolnet.org) is a network of 31 Ministries of Education inEurope and beyond. EUN was created more than 10 years ago to bring about innovation in teaching andlearning for its key stakeholders: Ministries of Education, schools, teachers and researchers.The Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE – www.isfe-eu.org) was established in 1998 torepresent the interests of the interactive software sector vis-à-vis the EU and international institutions.Thirteen major publishers of interactive software and thirteen interactive software trade associationsthroughout Europe have joined ISFE.