Using Computer Games in the Classroom

Many teachers are using computer games in classrooms, and some parents think that "playing ont he computer" in school is a waste of time. Well, they can be if students are playing the wrong types of games on the computer, but teachers have done a good job of finding educational computer games for students. In playing computer games, students can "play", or learn, at their own pace; they are not tied to the pace of their peers or their teacher. Also, many students don't consider computer games as learning and therefore are more compelled to play these educational games.

I think that using educational computer games in the classroom is a good tool for learning. The students are more likely to pay attention to the computer because they are the ones that are controlling the game opposed to the teacher controlling the class. Although I think it is a good tool, I do not think that educational computer games should be used in excess; the games should be a supplement to the lesson at hand.

This video shows some tips and tricks to using games in the classroom. This type of game is different from a computer game, though. Nevertheless, using a game like the one in the video can help keep students engaged in the material.