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The modern world is one of technological integration. To function effectively requires that we are adept at effectively using technology. With rapid developments in IoT (Internet of Things), it is becoming increasingly important that we know how to use this interconnection to best advantage.
It isn’t surprising then that there is increased usage of technology as an aid to learning.
The increase in the popularity of computer games, not only amongst children, has led to the development of tech games. Tech games seek to harness gaming’s popularity to provide effective learning tools.
An increasing body of research shows that gamification can have positive results. From improving engagement to developing visual attention, tech games are showing that they can provide solid educational outcomes.
With an estimated 9.2 million people globally playing Candy Crush for more than 3 hours a day and over 160 million adult gamers in the U.S. alone, it shows that games are increasingly prevalent in our society. It makes sense to harness this interest in games to facilitate learning.
General guidelines for tech games
The quality of tech games varies widely. As with any educational course or training material, it’s important to do some research.
One of the most important aspects to check is whether the tech game delivers its intended results. You can research this by looking at reviews from independent sources about the game.
Also, look at the suitability of the game for its target group. Most tech games do provide clear indications for whom they are intended. Verifying this from alternative sources is good as game development companies primarily want to generate sales.
Benefits of tech games
Using tech games for learning and training has the potential to provide numerous benefits. As with most learning methods, their effectiveness is dependent on how well they are implemented. Most of the current research shows that tech games are most effective when used as a supplement to traditional training methods rather than as a substitute. The specific type of training being provided also affects the benefits imparted by a particular tech game.
Some useful categories to determine the benefits gained are outlined below:
Cognitive benefits
The cognitive benefits include a diverse range of skills, including critical thinking and reasoning, decision-making, and understanding.
Knowledge acquisition and deep learning can be promoted through tech games that rely on gamers following rules and procedures. When the game requires the demonstration of learned knowledge the learning is reinforced.
Critical thinking can be developed through games that require the formulation of strategies to achieve a particular outcome. Of particular use in this regard are simulation games. Simulations allow the experimentation of different strategies to determine their probable outcomes. Through the observation of simulated outcomes, a greater understanding of the material is gained and decision-making is improved.
Critical thinking is developed through the analysis of the different strategies and their outcomes and assists in reaching the most effective solution.
Another cognitive benefit is the improvement of perceptual skills. It has been demonstrated that appropriate action tech games can result in significantly improved visual attention spans. Not only this, but such gamers also demonstrate a noticeably higher focus on objects of interest in noisy and cluttered visual fields of vision. The improvement of such skills is undoubtedly of use in today’s world where media and advertising compete for our interests.
Behavioral benefits
Collaborative games provide an effective way to demonstrate and develop social interaction skills and teamwork. The results of effective teamwork are immediately apparent in the context of the game. When collaboration fails due to bad communication, the results are also immediately apparent.
Getting a team to work together to succeed at the game also provides a platform for the development of leadership skills. In this context, it quickly demonstrates the benefits of effective leadership and the positive results that can be obtained.
Tech games provide a means of rapid and obvious feedback for choices. They, therefore, have great potential to foster the development of these soft skills.
Affective outcomes
Affective outcomes cover engagement, motivation, and satisfaction. Tech games, like games in general available at Lake Palace casino, have shown significant improvements in the engagement of users. With in-built reward systems, tech games also result in greater motivation for gamers to succeed. When effectively designed, these engagement and reward systems result in greater satisfaction for the learners. Greater satisfaction feeds back into improving motivation. Reward systems also provide instant feedback for achieving goals, which will also improve motivation.
The benefits of tech games are more expansive than the categories above. Tech games provide an excellent medium for complex subjects and problems to be communicated more simply. They allow subjects such as ecology and sustainability to be presented in smaller, easier-to-understand pieces. By making these subjects easier to understand they promote understanding and also facilitate the formulation of effective solutions to these complex issues.
AI and tech games
Potentially the biggest development in tech games is the developing integration of AI in gaming. AI integration is allowing greater engagement with learners. It’s hard to determine the revolutionary effect AI is going to have, but some of the potential benefits are outlined below.
AI-integrated games will be able to adapt to users to provide customized feedback based on a learner’s specific answers and inputs. AI will also be able to adapt the learning methodologies employed to suit a learner’s particular learning style. AI has the potential to provide customized learning environments and tutoring that evolves along with the learner. This has the potential to improve almost all aspects of knowledge acquisition as well as learners’ confidence.
Self-paced learning could also be more effectively managed by the integration of AI as it can analyze what material needs to be revisited and reinforced.
There are sure to be many other positive effects of the integration of AI in tech games in addition to the above.
In conclusion
The growing pervasiveness of gaming and technology in our society shows that tech games have the potential to be a pivotal part of how we learn. With so many exciting applications the future of life-long learning looks bright and engaging.