Games and Technology in the Classroom

[kiddykoff]

Hey forum,

I've been frustratingly bored in my educational technologies class, but hopefully this will come to an end. My professor has offered me a chance to showcase some technology that can be applied in the classroom.

I've been talking with some of my friends and i've decided i want to do something related to video games. I'm looking for games which can teach a concept or develop a skill in the K-12 classrooms. For example,

Game: Not Tetris 2
Grade: 9th grade
Valuable concepts: teaches about properties of momentum and inertia.
Link: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2011/09/t...ourself-linux/

In case you're wondering, a lot of the people in the classroom have little experience with computers and others are comfortable checking their email and facebook. So if things go well, i can expose people to a new world of software that can be implemented in the classroom. This is our chance to shine basically.

[donkyhotay]

The first game that comes to my mind that has anything to do with physics would be neverball. It's kind of like a FOSS version of super monkey ball. Wouldn't really consider it educational though. Another option might be globulation2 for an example of AI development. The only other thing I can think of would be instead of showing an educational game possibly showing programming and the source code of a video game. It would be incredibly easy to show the source code of some game and then compile it into a playable game.

[kiddykoff]

The games don't have to be explicitly eduational or have to do with physics. I plan on showing off a text based adventure, which would help students develop literacy skills. This would be helpful especially since in my state, California, there are a lot of English language learners. Does anyone have any suggestions on that?

[drdos2006]

Have a look here.

http://www.playdeb.net/updates/ubuntu/10.04/?page=1
regards

[kiddykoff]

Thanks, DrDos2006
I was worried at first when i checked the education section and only found 1 game, but i found a few more. I'll list them here.


Game: Liquid War
Valuable concepts: Teaches about different states of matter liquid, solid, gas

Game: 0 a.d.
Valuable concepts: gives insight into ancient history

Game: powder toy
Valuable concepts: revolves around air pressure, velocity, and heat

Game: Triple A
Valuable concepts: teaches about alliances during World War II. (i think)

I've also some games on Steam that might be valuable,

Game: And Yet it Moves
Valuable concepts: more physics (inertia, momentum)

Game: Osmos
Valuable Concepts: Gravity, Mass and orbits

Game: Portal
Valuable Concepts: Velocity, momentum, inertia, thinking with portals (har har) (possibly impairment of ability with negative feedback)

Game: World of Goo
Valuable Concepts: more physics

Some console games,

Game: Wii Sports
Valuable Concepts: hand eye coordination and muscle memory (especially useful for those with physical disabilities)

Game: Wii Fit
Valuable Concepts: Same as above

As you can see, there's a lot of physics games, however i would like to focus on the social sciences, world and U.S. history, U.S. government, economics, and geography.

Is there any games with a heavy emphasis on trading?