User:ASM2804/Educational games

Video games
With the increase and availability of technological devices, there has been a shift in what types of games people play. Video or electronic gaming has become more widely used than traditional board games. Barab (2009) defines conceptual play as "a state of engagement that involves (a) projection into the role of character who, (b) engaged in a partly fictional problem context, (c) must apply conceptual understandings to make sense of, and ultimately, transform the context". The goal of such play spaces is to have the "gamer" engage in the narrative while learning cognitive and social skills. The ability to immerse oneself in the gaming process facilitates "empathetic embodiment" which occurs when a player learns to identify with the character they have chosen for the game and the virtual environment of the game (Barab, 2009).

Educational video games have been divided into two major categories. "Edutainment" games are those that are typically based on drilling fundamental lessons in a linear progression, with added entertainment value. "Educational video games" are ones that encourage creative thinking and problem solving.

According to Segomotso Mosiane and Irwin Brown, "There is a general consensus that games are effective as learning tools" ( Mosiane & Brown, 2020). Educational tools in the form of video games and online games have been a popular learning material in the classroom because it engages the students and holds their interest for a longer period of time. With today's modern technology like cell phones and laptops, video games and online educational games have become increasingly popular in schools. However, there has been some debate about the success of online games versus physical games in terms of students' learning. For example, a study was conducted on the popular online game, Kahoot! Kahoot! is a multiple choice, competitive educational game that can be easily accessed through a cell phone or laptop. This study aimed to measure whether or not Kahoot! favorably improved learning engagement. The results of this study showed that the game does indeed enhance learning which consequently produces better outcomes. Additionally, Kahoot! became one of the most popular online educational games, especially in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Erin Richards, more than 100,000 people were creating accounts for the app on a daily basis.

Another popular online educational game is Duolingo. Duolingo is a mobile app that can be downloaded to a cell phone. This app is designed to teach any language of the user's choice in a series of different engaging activities. This game-based learning app not only allows the users to learn anytime and anywhere, but it is also free. Much like Kahoot!, Duolingo's popularity drastically increased as online learning increased in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Erin Richards further states that there were more than 10,000 new daily users joining the app every day. Both Kahoot! and Duolingo not only have many similar benefits to physical games and classroom activities, but they are also easier to obtain access to for countless people.

Educational video and online games are not only prevalent for older kids, but they are also very helpful to younger children who have access to electronics. It is very common for children in modern society to have some kind of electronic tablet to play games on, so it is important to incorporate educational games into their technology use. Some of the best reviewed online educational video games for children that are currently accessible include ABC Kids, MentalUP, and 123 Numbers.

ABC Kids is a game that is designed to aid preschoolers in learning and improving their basic alphabetical skills. This game uses matching activities that help users link a specific letter's sound with its specific shape. This game allows for a fun way to entertain children while also putting their brains to work to learn or emphasize necessary skills.

MentalUP is a game also designed for preschool children around the age of three. This game in particular focuses on a general range of basic skills for toddlers. MentalUP mainly focuses to enhance problem-solving skills, optical skills, and concentration skills. The app aims to accomplish these goals through a series of different puzzle-based activities and additional games.

123 Numbers is a preschooler aged game similar to that of ABC Kids; however, this specific app focuses on learning numerical skills instead of alphabetical skills. 123 Numbers provides multiple activities all related to bettering skills associated with numbers and counting. For example, the app includes numerical matching activities, tracing numbers, and visual counting examples. Additionally, 123 Numbers provides a sticker-based reward system to reinforce the children's skills and learning behaviors.

Educational online games and video games have been proven to be a useful and beneficial tool. This is because they find unique ways to integrate fun and entertainment into learning new materials. Online learning through educational games is a modernized and successful technique that is commonly used in classroom settings as shown in the examples above.