This document discusses educational games. It defines educational games as games that add rules to learning activities to motivate learning. The document outlines characteristics of educational games such as making learning fun and motivating learners through challenges and competition. General factors that games involve like goals, rules, challenges, and fantasy are described. Advantages of games for learning like enhancing intrinsic motivation and improving motor and cognitive skills are provided. An example of an educational math game called Jungle Jim and the Donga Dinga Drums is given.

1. Done by : Aisha Alabri
2008/2009
82926

2. Agenda
• Definition of Educational Games.
• Characteristics of Educational games
• General factors in Games.
• Advantage of games for learning
environment
• Example of Educational Games.
• References

3. Educational Games
o Games:
There are number of feature associated with games :
rule , winning, multiplayer , competition , turn
taking , points , penalties , fantasy and
equipment .
Educational games are courseware designed to
motivate learning by adding games rules to
learning activities .

4. Characteristics of edgames
• Make learner fun motivating .
• Motivate learner via challenge of
competition .
• Engage learner in a situation where the
learner is competing for a high score
• Include elements of adventure and
uncertainty.
• Provide different levels of complexity that
match player’s ability .

5. General factors in Games.
• Goals
-The goal of games activity in contrast to the
educational games or learning objective
• Rules
- What action are allowed within a game and
what constrains are impose
• Competition
- Other player play against you .

6. Con
• Challenge
- Differ from a goal . What one has to
overcome or succeed at to reach a goal .
• Fantasy
• Safety :
- Serve real life activities in safe way of
participating
• Entertainment

7. Advantage of Games
o They can effectively motivate learners.
- enhance intrinsic rather than extrinsic (reward)
motivation.
- Encourage learner to study material they might
not study before .
o Improve motor skills and cognitive of
learners
- Business games: enhance competition and
teamwork skills
- Adventure games: facilitate the integration of
knowledge and skills.

8. Con
o Apply for different types of learners in quite
different environment

9. Example of educational
game
Jungle Jim and the
Donga Dinga Drums
This interactive game
encourages kids to play
with numbers and
multiplication concept
and win points as long
as he/she hits the right
number.

10. References
http://culturalpolicy.uchicago.edu/conf2001/papers/kafai.html
http://ww.prolearn-academy.org/Events/steg09
http://www.ixl.com
http://free-game-downloads.mosw.com/abandonware/pc/educational_games
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