“Don’t Bother me… I’m learning”
I never knew a game could be so educationally benefitial! I’m not a person that has really enjoyed playing video games but… I’ve just read Digital game-based learning: It’s not just the digital natives who are restless and I’m feeling like it’s time to go out and buy a new game or go online and start playing! 
After years and years of Games designers asking educators to use their games for learning, there is now a flood of games used as learning tools… There are so many games currently being used for learning including; Civilization, CSI, Age of Empires II, Age of Mythology & Sim City 4. Prensky has compiled over 500 “serious” gamesfor learning purposes. These can be found at Social Impact Games and Games Parents and Teachers.
Educators and artists are now coming together to discuss leaning curriculum and content. Games are being designed which are both fun to play but also educationally correct. As teachers, we cant become captivated by the game, but need to think about when we would use the game for learning purposes; before, during or after instruction and what content is being covered by the game. A point Van Eck highlights for teachers is to check what content the game gets wrong as this could take more time for teachers to correct this knowledge. He also points out that there’s a risk of thinking all games are for learning purposes which is definately not true!
Like all technologies used in the classroom we need to ask; Does the potential learning from this game or other technical device, outweigh the time taken to learn how to use and play the game. It’s very easy to become captivated by a device and miss the content specific curriculum needed to be taught, but if the device will help students learn content in a fun and motivating way, then why not give it a go…
As a scientists CSI is definately one I’d go for with a class… Check these ones out!
“CSI Hard Evidence” From
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctB5iplqEUI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPu_bpEUgKA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzXPnuP6aRI
