Let the Games Begin

Running Head: Games Begin

Let The Games Begin

Elise C. Clark

ISD 610 – Dr. Dempsey

November 30, 2009

Let The Games Begin

Gaming has become a highly effective learning environment with increasing popularity. This paper is targeted for business publications such as Newsweek Magazine and TechNewsWorld. With the emergence of graphical processing units taking the lead in the gaming revolution, gaming environments will become more sophisticated, richer experiences. Robert Enderle states that “this is the kind of advancement that can move an industry or a culture in large steps, because the rate of change is accelerated in a number of critical areas at once.”

Instructional Design Technology (IDT) seems like the perfect partner to Digital Game Based Learning (DGBL). The foundation of IDT includes a long list of learning theories and models along with well-established principles. Game development follows these same traditional theories, whether intentionally or not. Many factors have to be considered whether one is developing a game or learning system. Developers in both fields ask themselves the same questions in analyzing what the purpose of the learning is and how best to deliver it. You cannot simply take learning content and dump it into a computer environment and expect to be effective. Learning would not be very effective if it was presented as just words on paper. Today’s learners are technologically savvy and developing learning content that keep the learner engaged is a great challenge.

This paper is somewhat slanted toward cognitive learning theories, which emphasize mental activities creating an information process. That being said, it is also clear to this writer that constructive learning theories are applicable. Constructive learning theories focus on problem solving, creative thinking and situation learning. The effectiveness of these games has long been debated, whether they are simple games...