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Constructionist Gaming: Understanding the Benefits of Making Games for Learning
1Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania.
Educational Psychologist
|March 29, 2016
Summary
Children learn valuable skills by making video games, not just playing them. This constructionist approach fosters technical abilities and social connections, enhancing educational potential beyond traditional gaming discussions.
Area of Science:
- Educational Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Learning Sciences
Background:
- Growing interest in the educational potential of video games.
- Traditional focus on playing games overlooks game creation as a learning tool.
- Need to explore constructionist approaches in educational gaming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize research on learning through making games.
- To identify trends and gaps in the existing literature.
- To advocate for inclusive, constructionist approaches in serious gaming.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and synthesis of 55 studies published in the last decade.
- Analysis of research focusing on game making and learning outcomes.
- Identification of themes related to coding, academic content, collaboration, and identity.
Main Results:
- Most studies focused on teaching coding and academic content via game making.
- Few studies explicitly investigated the roles of collaboration and identity in the process.
- Game making offers a more genuine introduction to technical skills.
Conclusions:
- Constructionist approaches (making games) are crucial for realizing the full potential of serious gaming.
- Game making fosters technical skills and social connections among children.
- Integrating game making addresses issues of access and diversity in digital gaming cultures.
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