The Educational Power of Computer Games

Don’t take away your child’s or grandchild’s video or computer games just yet. They are actually learning how to be successful in tomorrow’s work force, says Professor David Shaffer. Education must move beyond its “skill and drill” curriculum and embrace creative learning technologies, such as computer and video games, to prepare young people for the world of global competition, he says. Shaffer is exploring the educational potential of games and technology as alternative ways to engage children.

At UW-Madison, Shaffer joined with several faculty colleagues, representing three School of Education departments, to form the Games and Professional Practice Simulations Group. This group is part of the Advanced Digital Learning Initiative to study and build learning systems that use digital game technologies to immerse students in worlds where they use the skills and values of professionals to solve complex problems.