Extra Credits Videos

     I have been watching a series of videos lately. This short videos are titled Extra Credits, and concern video games. These videos are not just about how to beat a certain game, or how to get whatever achievement, though. They discuss, according to their website, "How they are made, what they mean, and how we can make them better." I recommend watching them for anyone who has an interest in the fine details of video games. Here's the link. This blog entry is about a few episodes, containing information on video games and education. The videos talk about how games and game theory could make learning more fun for students. One phrase that they talk about a lot, (they even titled the episode with it), is "tangential learning". By this, It means that video games could insert references to historical, mythical, or social references in the game. The player's might be curious enough search on the internet for the reference. Now this would work for a game with an enormous audience, because not everyone will google things in their game. But if many games had references, then people could learn a lot more. I think that idea isn't amazing, but if a video game was about the reference, and was still interesting, then this might work. This won't work with games that already exist, though. Some games that are trying to teach to player something are just boring. They try to be fun, but are just facts flashing across the screen and wanting you to memorize them. A more engaging game could involve a player moving around, as a historical figure, trying to accomplish a goal that is a historical event.

     Another episode suggests ways that classroom learning could be improved, with video game-like changes. The video suggests that the grading system used in schools is deeply flawed. They say that students, expect to get an A on an assignment, so anything less is negative. They say that a point-based system would be more motivating, possibly with rewards for certain numbers of points. This would make the students fell like they were increasing in points, not doing worse than they thought. I think these videos are very thought-provoking, and am continuing to watch them. Read my next entry, please!