Kids want to play video games all the time - but what if they're doing more than just play? Evidence suggests that video games, used appropriately, can create a uniquely valuable learning environment for your child.
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- The original Pong game. Credit: Amintore Fanfani
Educational video games have been around almost as long as video games themselves. Video games – often, even ones that aren’t explicitly made for education – require skills such as logic and design thinking. Researchers note that these “game-based learning environments” can often be more effective than lecture settings. Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Minecraft has many in the education community hoping they’ll leverage their resources as a company to make it even more accessible to schools and to students.
VentureLab students with Minecraft-themed stencils.
Our Gamer class introduces students to video game design – getting them to see that “STEM” doesn’t just mean something that comes out of a textbook. Using tools like Scratch, a basic programming language developed at MIT, and Gamepress, they exercise creative muscles in a powerful way. Video games require computer programming, science and math, art, design, and much more – these jobs are in high demand. We also teach students principles of entrepreneurship, building their skills in market research, business planning, and presentation.
Get your student ready to build and sell the next Minecraft - Sign up for a Gamer class today!
