Using Games to Inspire Creativity in Your Digital Natives discusses how games can be used to motivate and engage today's students, known as "digital natives" who have grown up with technology. Research has shown that games can develop skills like strategic thinking, problem solving, and reasoning. Games require players to learn skills and concepts to advance, making them responsible for their own progress unlike other media. Different types of games are described like educational entertainment and simulations, along with examples of games for different ages and subjects. Benefits of educational games include fostering creativity, problem solving, and making learning fun.

1. Using Games to Inspire Creativity in Your Digital NativesTimothy Lewis, J. Elizabeth Gibbs, Margaret L. Rice and Richard L. Rice, Jr.Presentation for the National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) annual meeting, June 28-July 1, 2009, Washington, DC.

2. Gaming ResearchToday’s children are bombarded with multimedia based experiences everyday. “Reinventing Schools” ReportNational Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering, Students are described as the “Nintendo Generation” (http://www.nap.edu/html/techgap). They have been engaged with a variety of technologies most of their lives, including television, computers, video games, digital music, etc. They are often the ones to assist their teachers or parents in using technologies. Jenkins and Hinrichs (2006)View games as resources that offer teachers a way to “make their subject matter come alive for their students, motivating learning, offering rich and compelling problems, modeling the scientific process and the engineering context, and enabling a more sophisticated assessment mechanisms” (¶ 15).Research has shown that games can support skill development in a variety of areas: strategic thinking, planning, communication, application of numbers, negotiating skills, group decision-making, problem solving, sequencing, deductive reasoning, and memorization (Kirriemuir & McFarlane, 2004; McFarlane, Sparrowhawk, & Heald, 2002). In many computer games, users must learn a skill or concept to advance, whichmakes the user responsible for how the game progresses. This is different than when using other media for learning.

3. National Summit on Educational Gameshttp://www.fas.org/gamesummit/Resources/Fact%20Sheet.pdfResearch Supports Educational Gameshttp://www.gamesforeducators.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=131:research-supports-educational-games&catid=34:forteachers&Itemid=11Microsoft, Universities Fund Research on Educational Gameshttp://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2008/10/07/microsoft,-universities-fund-research-educational-gamesUnderstanding Video Gameshttp://game-research.com/index.php/articles/understanding-the-educational-potential-of-commercial-computer-games-through-activity-and-narratives/

4. BenefitsPromote collaborative decision makingFoster CreativityPromote learning through authentic and engaging playMotivate learningMake learning funPromote problem Solving skillsPromote critical thinking skillsPromote organizationPromote visualizationProvide quick and specific feedbackEnhance the curriculum

5. Types of GamesEdutainment educational entertainmentprovides learning as a form of entertainmentAdventure game user plays the role of the protaganisinteractive storyexploring and solving puzzlesSimulation representation of activities or real life situations. used for training, analysis, prediction, problem-solving

6. Preschool GamesFisher Pricehttp://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2601&e=gamesByAge&mcat=game_preschool&site=usPreschoolMusic, phonics, alphabet, memory gamesNick Jr.http://www.nickjr.com/index.jhtmlPreschoolAlphabet, numbers, reading, music, matching, art, etc.PBS Kidshttp://pbskids.org/arthur/games/index.htmlEarly ChildhoodAll subject areas$9.95 per month/$79 per yearSesame Streethttp://www.sesamestreet.org/gamesPreschoolAlphabet, reading, science, Spanish, music, art, etc.

7. Preschool and ElementaryDisneyhttp://tv.disney.go.com/playhouse/index.htmlAges 2-5Variety of early learning skills, including cooperation, counting, reading, compare and contrast I Know Thathttp://www.iknowthat.com/comPreschool to 6th GradeAll subject areas Jumpstartwww.knowledgeadventure.comPreschool-2nd gradeMath, Reading, Science, Spelling, PhonicsStarfallhttp://www.starfall.com/Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade.Reading and writingUpToTenhttp://www.uptoten.com/kids/uptoten-home.htmlAges – 10 and underVariety of subject areas

8. ElementaryABCyahttp://www.abcya.com/kindergarten_computers.htmElementaryAlphabet, CountingEarobicshttp://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooeyhome.htmlKindergarten and 1st GradeEarly Reading SkillsFunschoolhttp://funschool.kaboose.com/Kindergarten to Grade 6All subject areasGetty Gameshttp://www.getty.edu/education/for_kids/ElementaryArt, Recognizing DetailsKinderwebhttp://kinderwebgames.comElementaryAlphabet, Numbers, Animals, MoneyPrimary Gameshttp://www.primarygames.com/ElementaryAll subject areasSkatekidshttp://www.skatekidsonline.com/K-5U.S. Fire Administration for Kidshttp://www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtmAge 10 and underFire Safety

9. Elementary and Middle SchoolFun Brainhttp://www.funbrain.com/Grades 1-8Math, English, ReadingScholastichttp://www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/games/Elementary and Middle SchoolVariety

10. All AgesAplus Mathhttp://www.aplusmath.com/All agesMath GamesKids Numbershttp://www.kidsnumbers.com/All agesMath GamesLearning Planethttp://www.learningplanet.com/act/abcorder.aspK-12All subject areasSquigly’s Educational Games – Mathhttp://www.squiglysplayhouse.com/Games/LearningWord.htmlAll agesAll subject areasShepard Softwarehttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_menu.htmAll agesAll subject areas

11. Preschool/Elementary Reading Games30 Alphabet SitesA B C CleanA Spring Time Alphabet to PrintABC Order GameABC PrintoutsActivities for Alphabet LettersAlphabet ActionAlphabet and Number StripsAlphabet Chart to PrintAlphabet Coloring Pages BookAlphabet Dot to DotAlphabet GameAlphabet GamesAlphabet OnlineAlphabet ScrapbookAlphaBitesAnimal Alphabet ColoringArthur GamesArthur Goes to SchoolAven's CornerBarney GamesBBC Preschool GamesBear WearBeginning SoundsBemboo's ZooBig Bird Goes CampingBlending Words TogetherClifford's Sound Match GameColorful Alphabet ChartsCompass RosieConnect the DotsCopy the AlphabetCreate Tracing PaperCreate-a-Book Coloring BookCut and Paste Alphabet FunDigby Mole's Word GamesDragon TalesDraw OnDress the TeddyFifteen-Minute Reading ActivitiesFind the PairsFlash ColoringFree Printable ABC WorksheetsFrog JumpFun in the Deep Blue SeaFun With LettersFunschool Games and ActivitiesGawain's WordGet An Ear FullGood Night StoriesHelp Build PinocchioI Spy GamesIce CreamKids' Korner NetworkKindergarten Literacy ActivitiesKitty Wants a Box Online StoryKookerKids

12. Preschool/Elementary Reading GamesLearn Beginning LettersLearn to Read With StarfallLearning ActivitiesLet's Make WordsLetter ChartLetter MatchLetter Sounds PowerPointsLetters of the Alphabet OnlineLetters of the Alphabet Online StoryLetters to Big BirdLiteractive-Teaching Children to ReadLiteracy Center Education NetworkLiteracy Center Learn and PlayLittle ExplorersLittle Red Riding Hood Rhyming WordsMake an Alphabet ScrapbookMaking FacesMother GooseMouse House Jr.Nick Jr.NogginOnline Long Vowel GameOnline StoriesPicture MatchPoisson Rouge GamesPractice WorksheetsPre Kinders Teachers PagePrintable Alphabet

13. Preschool/Elementary Reading GamesPrintable Alphabet Coloring PagesPrintable Alphabet Fishing GamePrintable Books to ReadPrinting ActivitiesRapid NamingRats! LettersReading and Writing Skill-Builders for KindergartnersReading and Writing SkillsReading RocketsReggie Loves to RhymeRhyming Game OnlineRoliePolieOlieSchool-Home Links Reading Kit Kindergarten ActivitiesSeeNSpell- Short VowelsSilly Books OnlineSound Domino GameSpeakaboosStanley GamesStory Bear's StoriesStoryplaceTeddy Bear ABC ChantThe ABC GameThe Animated AlphabetThe Book GameThe Book of PoohThe Playground CenterTiny PlanetsType MeVowel Letter Combinations To Hear SoundsWelcome to Inkless TalesWhat Did Toby SeeWhat's In the Bag?Wild World of WordsWord WizardWrite the Alphabet OnlineWriting Guide and Alphabet ActivitiesWriting Skills PracticeZES Sight WordsZoboomafooZParadise

14. Preschool/Elementary Math Games1 2 3 OrderAAA Math KindergartenAdd'em Up GameAlphabet and DigitsAstronomy Shape MatchBilly Bear StickersBilly Bear's Math GamesBobinogsBreak OutBuild With Shapes OnlineBungalo Books Connect the DotsColor OnlineColor QuizColoring OnlineConcentration Game from Inkless TalesCookie DoughCount Hoot's Number GamesCount Us In GamesCount Your ChickensCounting on a CloudCuckoo's ClockWorksDecorate the DollhouseDoodle PadEnchanted Learning Connect the DotsFisher Price GamesGive the Students a Head StartGolden Books Print FactoryGrade One Math WorksheetsHarold's CrayonI Spy GameIce CreamImpossible PatienceInteractive Color BookKelly ClubKindergarten Math BookKindergarten Think MathKinderweb Children's GamesLearn about MoneyLittle Animals Activity CenterLive and Learn Colors

15. Preschool/Elementary Math GamesMaisy's Fun ClubMath GamesMath SkillsMeddybemp's EasterMeddybemp's Ghost WalkMix MatchMoo Milk Connect the DotsMr. Elephant's Matching GameNumber Chants and Counting SongsNumber TimeOdd & Even ColoringPaint the ShapesPatterns Games from Inkless TalesPick a DuckPlay Online Color GamePrint and Learn Math WorksheetsProngo Connect the DotsPut It on the ShelfRats Color GameRoz's Math-a-RamaSeaside StickersShape SorterShapes and Colors WebquestShapes Matching GameShapes WorksheetsSnakes and Ladders OnlineSoft Schools Kindergarten Math Space HopscotchSpatial ConceptsTake It Away GameThe Counting GameThe Counting StoryThe Counting StoryThe Number GameTic Tac Toe from Inkless TalesTimeWorksUFO Game

16. Downloadable GamesQuest Atlantishttp://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu/site/view/Educators#Lure of the Labyrinthhttp://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/educators.phpMiddle School Pre-Algebra StudentsDiscover Babylonhttp://fas.org/babylon/Ages 8-14Immune Attackhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_Attack

17. Games for PurchaseCarmen Sandiego serieshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carmen_SandiegoPreteensTeaches geography, EnglishClueFindershttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ClueFindersAges 8-12Big Brain Academyhttp://www.bigbrainacademy.com/ds/index.htmlFreddi Fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddi_FishPajama Samhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pajama_SamSPOREhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spore_(game)Sims 3Teenshttp://www.thesims3.com/

18. ReferencesJenkins, H. & Hinrichs, R. (2006). Project: Games to teach. Retrieved from http://icampus.mit.edu/projects/GamesToTeach.shtml on June 22, 2009. Kirriemuir, J. & McFarlane, A. (2004). Literature in games and learning. Retrieved from http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:MxZBy-7aPfgJ:www.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/lit_reviews/Games_Review.pdf+Kirriemuir+%26+McFarlane,+2004&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a on June 22, 2009.McFarlane, A., Sparrowhawk, A. & Heald, Y. (2002). Report on the educational use of games. Retrieved from http://www.teem.org.uk/publications/teem_gamesined_full.pdf on June 22, 2009.