Gaming and the Brain
All this discussion about gaming and how much students can relate and learn from them, but how does the brain actually process it all? Isn’t that our primary concern as educators – how to we ensure we are always helping them, and not “hurting” them. This module will look at the ways that games enhance learning, and reward the brain, simultaneously.
Outcomes
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- explain two ways games reward the brain
- explain two ways games can be responsibly played
- explain two ways gaming enhances learning
- use evidence to support game use in the classroom.
Selected Readings
Required
- 7 Ways Games Reward the Brain, Tom Chatfield
Chatfield, T. (n.d.). 7 ways games reward the brain. Retrieved August 17, 2017, from https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_chatfield_7_ways_games_reward_the_brain
- Your Brain on Video Games, Daphne Bavelier
Bavelier, D. (n.d.). Your brain on video games. Retrieved August 17, 2017, from https://www.ted.com/talks/daphne_bavelier_your_brain_on_video_games
Recommended:
- None
“To Do” List
Discussion
Gaming and Brain
This module discussed several gaming advantages for the brain. There were two videos that related the advantages to gaming for your brain. Which of the videos did you find more relatable? What points did the speaker make that made you buy in? Which of the advantages for the brain is most advantageous for your classroom? Least? What about the other video was less relatable for you?
Make your initial posts before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on Day 5 of this module. After making your initial postings, review at least two of your classmates’ postings and reply to their threads. Complete your replies before 11:59 p.m. U.S. EST/EDT on the next Monday.
Discussion postings should always be thoughtful and courteous and include some references or direct evidence from the module’s content, readings, or assignments to support your statements. In order to ensure that postings are appropriate in length and substance, please limit your initial postings to 100 – 200 words and each of your responses to 25 – 50 words.
Project
Part 3: Select Strategies and Resources
Please read the Project: Educational Game in the Classroom page for details about this assignment.
Due Dates
To guide you through the whole process, six parts aligned with the ASSURE model are created. The due date for each part is listed below.
- Project, Part 3: Select Strategies and Resources (Due on the 1st day of Module 11)
- Project, Part 4: Utilize Resources (Due on the 1st day of Module 14)
- Project, Part 5: Require Learner Participation (Due on the 1st day of Module 15)
- Project, Part 6: Evaluate and Revise (Due on the 1st Monday after Module 15)