Is it Possible to Gain Knowledge Through Games!
Yes, of course! Contrary to popular belief, the game industry is not just about games with violence, action and competition.
Many games are designed to include educational content and teach players new skills or concepts. These games are known in the player world as “educational games” or “edutainment”.
Edutainment is a concept that has been used for many years and we see its first examples even in the early 20th century. Let’s take a brief trip through Edutainment’s history: In the 1920s and 30s, companies like Meccano and Lego began producing educational toys aimed at teaching children engineering and problem-solving skills through play.
In the 1950s and 60s, television programs such as “Sesame Street” and “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” became popular for their educational content aimed at teaching children basic literacy and numeracy skills, as well as social and emotional development.
In the 1980s and 90s, computer and video games began to emerge as a popular form of education and entertainment. Companies like The Learning Company and Broderbund Software have developed educational games for kids, such as the “Carmen Sandiego” series aimed at teaching geography and history.
Since then, edutainment has continued to evolve and expand with the rise of online learning platforms and mobile apps. A wide variety of edutainment products are designed today, from educational games and toys for children to online courses and educational programs for adults.
In fact, research has shown that games can be an effective tool for learning. When designed correctly, games can engage players and encourage active participation and learning, which can lead to better embedding of knowledge and skills.
There are many examples of games developed specifically for educational purposes, such as math games, language learning games, and history games. These games can be used in classrooms or for individual learning and can be designed to suit different age groups and learning levels.
However, it is important to remember that not all games are educational and not all educational games are created equal. Some games may have limited educational value, while others may be poorly designed or not effectively engage players. It is important to do careful research before using educational games as a learning tool.
Examples of major educational games are: “Civilization VI” – A strategy game that allows players to create and manage their own civilization while learning about world history, politics and geography. This game offers a wide range of knowledge to learn about many historical events and civilizations.”
Kerbal Space Program” – A space simulation game that teaches players about physics, engineering and space exploration by building their own rockets and spacecraft. It’s well suited to design while learning.