Doki-Doki game explores human psychology from an alien perspective

Doki-Doki Universe is a charming interactive game world that takes you on a journey to explore the concept of humanity. Players will travel to uniquely themed planets and asteroids to meet some of the most bizarre characters in an effort to learn more about them, and hopefully, learn a little bit more about themselves along the way.

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A diabetes self-management video game that transports players to a world of epic fantasy and adventure!

Game Equals Life is attempting to gather money for what at first glance might look like an edutainment game, but actually isn't. You've got a hero, see. A mage with a bitchin' cannon. Their job is to stop an ancient, evil king, all the while keeping their recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes in check.

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A video Game about Energy Demand Management

The Energy Planner Game is designed to educate people on different power generation technologies in an entertaining way.

It allows the player to take custody of a virtual city’s power plan and seek a balance between the most efficient technologies currently available and the most environmentally friendly ones. Players must also take into account the varying costs of production of the different technologies and face the challenge of maintaining an economically viable mix of all of these elements.

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Playforce: Learning from the games we play

Playforce is a new community built for and by players, parents, and educators to discover and share learning experiences in games.

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Ten Surprising Truths about Video Games and Learning

“Your brain’s important, but not all that important,” said Dr. James Paul Gee*. 

By that he means the following: What we’d assumed about the importance of brain functions are no longer relevant. There’s been a revolution in the learning sciences and the new theories say that human beings learn from experiences. Dr. James Gee validated reasons why video games are good for learning. 

Here are 10 truths, according to Gee.  Video games…

- Feed the learning process

- Obviate testing

- Build on experience

- Redefine teachers as learning designers

- Teach language through experience

- Entice kids to love challenges

- Motivate learning

- Teach problem-solving

- Encourage risk-taking

- Provide valid learning model for schools

*professor at Arizona State University and a leading authority on literacy and the potential of educational games

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7 Reasons Why Kids Should Play Video Games

Conventional wisdom suggests that time spent playing video games is time wasted. The common perception is that few video games exercise the brain and, if there is any physical activity involved, it's usually the occasional wave of a controller rather than anything that will work up a sweat. And shouldn't kids be outside playing, rather than sitting in front of yet another screen?

There are good reasons why  kids should spend a few hours a week building cities or battling aliens.

Here's why:

1. Video games teach problem solving

2. Video games are social

3. Video games provide positive reinforcement

4. Video games teach strategic thinking

5. Video games build teamwork

6. Video games improve hand-eye coordination

7. Video games bring families together

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Videogames in Europe: 2012 Consumer Study

The Videogames in Europe Consumer Study is a multi-country survey run by Ipsos MediaCT and commissioned by ISFE. It is designed to provide a better understanding of the societal context in which games are being played today in 16 European countries. It provides detailed consumer statistics about gaming habits, broader media interests, online gameplay, gaming in a family context and the PEGI age rating system.

Highlights of the study

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Active video games don't increase overall daily physical activity levels

Active video games are often presented as a possible solution to getting kids to move more; however, following a rigorous scientific review, Active Healthy Kids Canada - and its strategic partners the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (HALO-CHEO) and ParticipACTION - advises against them as a strategy to help kids be more physically active.

"The research shows the movement in active video games may get heart rates up briefly, but usually not enough to meaningfully contribute to the 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity children and youth require daily," says Dr. Mark Tremblay, Chief Scientific Officer, Active Healthy Kids Canada, and Director of HALO.

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Do Educational Video Games Actually Work?

Gaming in the classroom as a teaching tool is gaining popularity; however, some question whether or not it's actually effective.

Online College Courses present an interesting infographic.

Infographic

50 awesome videos about gaming in education

Board games, video games, even active outdoor games all have an important place in education, and these videos share more about their role in learning. Check out our list of 50 awesome videos for gaming teachers to discover what experts, teachers, and even students have to say about using games for education.

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The Social Benefits of Video Games

Problem solving, creative thought are some of the specific skills  video games developp.

A video game player can pay attention to more tan 6 things at once without getting confused (a non video game player can only handle 4), this benefit and much more, can be translated to the real world.

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