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Learning through play isn't really a novel concept—in fact, it's a fundamental aspect of life that's deeply ingrained in all living creatures. Even before game boys, Playstations, and computer games, there were board games and, even more spontaneously, physical games of tag and hide and seek. These innocent frolics of childhood subtly teach us about social dynamics, problem-solving, strategy, and more. We see this even in the animal kingdom, where kittens learn the art of the hunt primarily through roughhousing with their mother and siblings.
The point is, play is not just about fun and games; it's also a powerful learning tool. And in recent years, like everything else, play has evolved from physical to digital.
The COVID-19 pandemic, for all its faults, has triggered a digital revolution, particularly in the realm of education. With the world forced into a remote lifestyle, teachers and students alike have had to adapt, finding creative ways to engage and learn through a computer screen.
Thus enter the concept of game-based learning, a digital adaptation of the age-old principle of learning through play. Game-based learning is particularly useful for younger students, who have shorter attention spans which only get worse when they’re forced to sit still in front of a computer screen doing nothing but listening to their teachers talking. The more practical act of taking something that they’re familiar with, i.e. playing games, and incorporating it into daily learning, would help them absorb knowledge better.
So, What Can You Learn From Video Games?
Take Minecraft, for instance. Building simple shelters or even the life-sized, pixellated Seven Wonders of the World is unarguably much more entertaining than drawing on a board; but it’s not just about surviving monsters and building elaborate structures.
The massively popular game introduces players to concepts of geometry, spatial reasoning, and resource management, and encourages creativity and problem-solving as players navigate through different terrains and biomes. And then there’s also the coding aspect of it all: modding, automation, scripting APIs; giving students, or indeed, adults their first taste of coding in a fun environment.
In fact, Minecraft is so versatile that they’ve even come up with an education-specific version of the game: Minecraft Education. Incidentally, Minecraft Education is a joint effort headed by the Malaysian Ministry of Education itself, which just proves that gaming definitely has its place in education.
Another example would be Assassin's Creed, a series of first-person games that take players on a journey through different eras of human history. While the actual stories may be just fiction, there are still richly detailed historical settings and architecture—so accurate, in fact, that Assassin’s Creed: Unity could be used to help restore Notre Dame in Paris after the ancient building suffered devastating damage in a fire in 2019.
Assassin’s Creed is not a substitute for a history textbook, but it does provide a unique, interactive way to explore different cultures and time periods. From the Crusades to the Italian Renaissance, the French Revolution to Ancient Egypt, what better way to understand history than to (digitally) live through it?
Even games like The Sims 4, which might seem purely recreational at first glance, can offer valuable lessons. Players learn about budgeting and financial planning as they manage their Sims' money to build homes, buy furniture, and fulfil their Sims' needs and desires. And—from personal experience—they also get a taste of interior design by “renovating” their Sims’ home!
This is how video games, once considered the bane of productive learning, are now being recognized for their educational potential. They offer a vast landscape of knowledge, wrapped in a package of engaging graphics, compelling narratives, and interactive gameplay, making learning extend well beyond the confines of the classroom and even age—after all, these games can be played by just anyone!
So, the question isn't so much "How much can you learn from video games?" but rather "What can't you learn from video games?". From math and history to life skills and problem-solving, the possibilities for learning are as vast and varied as the games themselves. So, the next time you see a child engrossed in a video game, remember: they might just be on a learning adventure.
Note: As with all things, moderation and supervision are key, especially when it comes to children playing video games. While games can be educational, they can also expose players to inappropriate content or interactions, particularly in multiplayer online games. Do check the ratings for the games and monitor game content and playtime to ensure a balanced mix of play, learning, and other activities.