Factors that inhibit using computer games in the classroom

If computer games are such a great way to encourage learning, what is stopping them being used the classroom? This is the question addressed by Baek (2008).

The factors that hinder the use of computer games were compiled and rated using a survey. In the first session a master list of issues was developed using input from 35 teachers. The master list was then submitted as a questionnaire to 444 teachers to rate each issue of a rating of 1 (for low) to 5 (for high).

The results were grouped under six broad categories:

1. Inflexibility in the curriculum
2. Negative effects of gaming
3. Students lack of readiness
4. Lack of supporting materials
5. Fixed class schedules
6. Limited budgets

Analysis was done by respondent: it was found experienced teachers thought inflexibility in the curriculum and negative effects of gaming were more important, whereas younger teachers were more concerned by lack of supporting materials and fixed class schedules.

I don't have a statistical background, so I can't comment on the factor analysis. I found the raw ratings fairly low. For example, the top 38 issues (out of 63) scored between 3.08 and 4.15.

From the mean scores, the inflexibility in the curriculum and the fixed class schedules were two issues of most concern. In other words, how can the games help students learn curriculum content, and how can game playing be fitted into an already tight schedule of class times?

The two issues with highest mean scores were both in the inflexibility of curriculum group. The first was that teachers have difficulty finding an educational game suitable for a learning objective. The second was that it is time-consuming effort to design, locate, and devise teaching methods to enhance the student learning  process utilizing a particular game. Both these issues indicate that even if teachers support game playing for learning, then there are still significant challenges to implementing game playing in the classroom. There is a need for better resources for teachers, not just a list of games, but developed modules showing how learning for a particular curriculum item can be supported by a computer game.


As an end note, it is interesting that this was a Korean study - a reminder that computer gaming is not just a Western activity.

Baek Y.K., (2008). What Hinders Teachers in Using Computer and Video Games in the Classroom? Exploring Factors Inhibiting the Uptake of Computer and Video Games. CyberPsychology & Behaviour, Volume 11, Number 6, 2008.

Motivating Learning Via Computer Games

"The over-riding reason for interest in this field is that computer games seem to motivate young people in a way that formal education doesn't." (Facer 2003)

For this posting, I am looking at an article by Whitton (2007) in which she explores motivation and computer games. Whitton challenges the assumption that because players are motivated to play games, that they would be motivated to learn by playing games.

Whitton conducted an experiment to analyse a population of university-level students and their perceptions of game playing and game playing for learning. Surprisingly, the survey showed little evidence for promoting game playing because of its motivational affects.

It is interesting that 65.5% of students surveyed said games would be motivating for learning and 28% were neutral. It could be argued then, that 93.5% of students would not be put off by using games for learning. This seems to counter the author's claim that there is "little evidence for the motivational rationale" (Whitton 2007).

Whitton used third-year undergraduate and Masters-level computing students. As this group is predominantly male and young, Whitton argues that this group should be extremely "pro-gaming" and hence the 65.5% figure would be lower for other groups. As I come from a computing background, I would suggest that most computing types are often too tired from working on computers all day to be major gamers. Programming is the ultimate game - interactive, challenging, rewarding, frustrating - why bother with a simple shooting game? I think the same survey with different populations (including secondary students) would be interesting.

Whitton (2007) does make the good point "If games are experiential, active, problem-based and collaborative then they have the potential to be effective environments for learning, not specifically because they are games but because they exhibit the characteristics of constructivist learning environments."

In summary, use games for learning (if appropriate) but not simply because you hope to motivate learning by using a game.


Facer, K. (2003) Computer games and Learning. FutureLab.

Whitton, N. (2007) Motivation and computer game based learning. In ICT: Providing choices for learners and learning. Proceedings ascilite Singapore 2007

Computer Games and Learning

In an earlier posting, I talked about a paper by Klopfer et al (2009). Their argument for new cognitive abilities cited a paper by Facer (2003) that I'll discuss in this blog entry.

Unfortunately the paper does not directly cite research articles, but instead refers to "research in educational psychology by, amongst others, Patricia Marks Greenfield". Greenfield is currently Distinguished Professor in Developmental Psychology at UCLA and has a long and impressive academic record. Her earlier work (Greenfield 1984) would have been pioneering in looking at video and computer games; her later work ranges over all forms of video and many uses of computers but does also look at computer games specifically (for example Subrahmanyam et al (1994)). I don't have the psychology background to look at this work in detail, so will have to accept the claims by Facer.

The article by Facer (2003) is an overview article, discussing various themes. Key is that "computer games seem to motivate young people in a way that formal education doesn't" (Facer 2003). Motivation is discussed, the fact that children play computer games because they are 'fun', a concept that Facer appears to struggle with. It is noted "Historically,  'having fun' and 'learning' have been seen to be diametrically opposed" (Facer 2003). I don't find this surprising, the easiest way to turn children off any activity is to call it "educational".

Communication, problem-solving and mathematical development are listed as hidden curriculum skills that are developed by computer games. The article describes how difficult it is to include content in computer games and has the quote "a focus on curriculum learning objectives may be lost as the user becomes involved with the game" (McFarlane et al, 2002). I would paraphrase this as computer games are fun, and have lots of hidden curriculum benefits, but don't expect the learning objectives to be paid much attention once players start playing games.

The article briefly looks at gender issues. It notes that there are two key areas: games mainly have 'male' world views, and social cultures come into play when looking at games. I think that there are now many 'non-male' games available now but gaming is still seen as a male activity. This is then a social culture issue. Many women just don't get the point of games or have more than enough other activities to stimulate or keep them busy without having to play games.


Facer, K. (2003) Computer games and Learning. FutureLab.

Greenfield, P. M. (1984). Mind and media: The effects of television, video games, and computers. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Klopfer, E., Osterweil, S., Graff, J. and Haas, J. (2009) The Instructional Power of Digital Games Social Networking Simulations and How Teachers Can Leverage Them. The Education Arcade, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

McFarlane, A., Sparrowhawk, A. and Heald, Y. (2002) Report on the Educational Use of Games: an Exploration by TEEM of the Contribution Which Games Can Make to the Educational Process, Teem: Cambridge. www.teem.org.uk.

Subrahmanyam, K. & Greenfield, P. M. (1994). Effect of video game practice on spatial skills in girls and boys. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 15, 13-32.

ELPC 1 - Educational Gaming 2

As a keen game player, Gee (2007) writes enthusiastically about the ability of video games to engage young people "in an activity that is hard, long, and complex".

Gee's conclusion is not that schools should play video games, instead he asks "how can we make learning in and out of school, with or without using games, more game-like ... ?" (Gee 2007).

In order to understand games, Gee lists sixteen of the learning principles that good games incorporate. Gee argues that schools need to consider these principles and apply them in the classroom.

I would suggest that many of these principles would appear to be part of mainstream school life already. For example, in principle 7, Well-Order Problems, Gee states "equal thought needs to be paid to how to order problems in a rich immersive space in a science classroom". Thousands of science teachers around the world are attempting to order problems in such a way every day, with or without the influence of video games.

Gee does highlight some principles of games that do not readily appear in the classroom. Interaction is a key feature of games but does not occur in a textbook. Video games encourage risk taking, but assessment-driven teaching does the opposite. And finally games promote performance before competence where players learn skills by doing, in contrast to the classroom approach of teaching a skill and then practising by drill.

One principle listed is that games are pleasantly frustrating. Having witnessed many tears and tantrums (including my own) sparked by frustration at video games, I think that games do not always stay as well-aligned as Gee suggests. However, something about video games draws frustrated gamers back whereas school work pushes frustrated learners away.

Gee, J. (2007) Good Video Games and Good Learning Collected Essays on Video Games, Learning and Literacy, Lang.

ELPC 1 - Educational Gaming 1

I decided to look at Educational Gaming as my first topic. While spending far too many hours playing Civilization 3 I have thought, I wish I played this game when I did history at school.

Where to start? I starting skimming articles in Meg's library, but decided to read Klopfer et al in detail when I saw that they advocate Civilization as a learning tool.

The article is a well-written, positive piece on gaming and simulations. I liked the teacher examples that had successes but also listed challenges. Their argument that using gaming and simulation technology should be an evolution rather than a revolution matches my own view on technology in most situations.

The article claimed "these technologies are more than just entertainment". Later in the article the skills that generated by playing video games are listed. I want to look at this research further to see how the development of the skills is measured. It appears that video games must be developing skills such as problem solving, but if the player is using trial and error or merely developing skills using buttons, especially without having any meta-analysis on the problem solving, then the problem solving is more like rote learning than deeper learning. More in a later blog entry.

I will look at Lure of the Labyrinth which is a game than is claimed to develop algebra skills. Another blog entry? The article suggests that "ill-structured domains" like history are ideal for games. What about a well-structured domain such as mathematics?

I also read the Hommel article. The irony noted by Prensky that most educational games are simple, while entertainment games are complex, is interesting. I am not sure that just because a game is complex that it must therefore provide learning opportunities.

This article also noted that educators can learn from games, even if games are not used in the classroom.

I wonder what behaviourists would make of computer games: are there too many rewards required to make real learning happen? Is competition (against the machine, friends) a good way to encourage learning?

And finally, what about non-technology games: Is Diplomacy as a board game a better learning experience than Diplomacy the computer game?

Hommel, M. (2010) Video Games and Learning, School Library Monthly, Volume XXVI, Number 10, June 2010.

Klopfer, E., Osterweil, S., Graff, J. and Haas, J. (2009) The Instructional Power of Digital Games Social Networking Simulations and How Teachers Can Leverage Them. The Education Arcade, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.