• The question of the day: What role can or should video games play in the classroom?
• A massive, massive economic sector
  • 2020 – Approximately $66 billion dollars for the U.S. industry as a whole; worldwide, $177 billion
  • According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA):
    • Average age of video game player is 31
    • 90% of gamers are over 18
    • Largest segment is 18–34 year olds (38 percent)
    • 76% of people under the age of 18 play video games
    • 74% of parents play with their children at least weekly
• Impact of video games on learning
  • The jury is still out; there are competing studies that show varying effects, both positive and negative
  • Chief question is whether gaming interferes with performance of necessary school tasks
  • Positives may include:
    • collaboration and teamwork
    • social skills
    • planning
    • language skills
    • preparation for remote learning
  • Negatives may include
    • distraction
    • sleep deprivation
    • risk of bullying and abuse
    • grooming
• Can video games be a positive force in the classroom?
  • Gamification of learning
  • Games as a form of engagement
  • Trophies, badges, and rewards
  • Leveling up
• Risks for Educators
  • Games overwhelm the content
  • Inappropriate conversations
  • Inappropriate interactions within the games
  • Giving consoles or games to student could be perceived as grooming
• Popular video games
  • Roblox
  • Fortnite
  • Minecraft
• Resources – #2021–08–07 Could video gaming hold the key to better learning?
  https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2021/08/07/how-some-teachers-gaming-education-system/5454842001/
  – #2021–05–28 How teachers can use video games to motivate students
  https://theconversation.com/how-teachers-can-use-video-games-to-motivate-students–161624
  – #2021–04–05 Former Teacher At Church Farm School Gets 15–30 Years For Abuse (PA)
  https://patch.com/pennsylvania/westchester/former-teacher-church-farm-school-gets–15–30-years-abuse
  – #2021–02–22 Struck off: Catholic primary school teacher, 27, banned after talking about her sexuality while playing FORTNITE with two young pupils on PlayStation (England)
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9286621/Catholic-school-teacher-banned-talking-sexuality-playing-FORTNITE-pupils.html
  – #2019–02–13 Middle school gym teacher, 30, is fired for playing Fortnite with his students to ‘reward’ them for doing their work (NY)
  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–6699891/Brooklyn-gym-teacher–30-fired-playing-Fortnite-students-reward-them.html
  – #2018–08–27 Fontys teacher unravels the success of game Fortnite with her students
  https://innovationorigins.com/en/fontys-teacher-unravels-the-success-of-game-fortnite-with-her-students/
  – #2018–05–03 Educators Battle ‘Fortnite’ for Students’ Attention
  https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/educators-battle-fortnite-for-students-attention/2018/05
  – #2018–01–02 The effects of video games on school achievement
  https://parentingscience.com/effects-of-video-games-on-school/
  – Zachary Hartzman has a whole curriculum based on video games: Listen on Transformative Principal
  – Hey Listen Games – using games to teach
  – [n.d.] Best Video Games for Teens
  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-video-games-for-teens