Computer games and education

The article is not mine, source link will be placed at the end. The theme is very close to me, because I love to kill time playing games of these types, described in the article. Well, maybe except simulators and MMOs.

For interdisciplinary research of modern computer games of particular interest is their insufficiently investigated and evaluated an innovative educational resource, the definition of productive application opportunities of use of modern computer games in the educational process. Now it is one of the current trends in the Western world, since the use of new information technologies can greatly intensify the learning process.

The most famous manifestation of this process in applied contexts – the use of flight simulators for obtaining a basic pilot's skills and auto simulators for driver training car. In addition, car simulators and flight simulators are used for training in high-tech and high-budget areas in competitions "Formulas-1" and in the preparation of space flight. As example is the racing simulator rFactor, the realism of which is appreciated world Champions in Formula-1 sevenfold world champion of Formula 1 Michael Schumacher "uses it as a trainer in your karting center in his hometown Kerpen" (1). Russian Formula 1 driver Vitaly Petrov, admitted that he "studied the unfamiliar tracks on this simulator" (2), and a series of flight simulators Microsoft Flight Simulator is used in aviation schools.

However, in this regard, the question arises: given the link between modern computer games with neighboring public and cultural spheres and the resulting the diversity of electronic games, what other genres actualize innovative educational online computer games?

First of all, this can be attributed to the genre of so-called "strategy" turn – based and RTS (real time strategy) first and foremost, a complex economic strategy, for example Capitalizm (which covers almost all aspects of business: marketing, production, procurement of import and retail), more simple Industry Giant or legendary Sim City series (which can also be attributed to the more complex and multidimensional subspecies simulator – simulator city). Game Sim City is of particular interest because it is already used in classes on urban planning, because it gives not only a General idea about the structure of the city (budget, taxes, power grid, sewer system, health, safety, environmental, etc.), but specific examples learns to make important decisions that affect all residents of the city.
These decisions must consider many factors for example: whether to raise taxes (and to call it a strike most taxpayers) to build a new hospital or water treatment plants; or is it better to build a factory for processing toxic waste, which will bring income to the budget, but will cause long-term environmental problems, etc. Accurate virtual simulation of the city (for example in Sim City 4) allows you to plan, implement possible scenarios for the development of the city and also secure to see the results of possible errors of urban management (in order to avoid them in reality).

In the educational context are of great interest all sorts of so-called "Tycoon's", is not only realistic replication of almost all aspects of human life, but learning in detail the characteristics and management of the corresponding social spheres, for example: relevant social spheres School Tycoon (construction and management of school and education), Transport Tycoon (transport company), series Railroad Tycoon (teaching, construction and management of Railways, including the historical and cultural context), Hospital Tycoon (realistic managing hospital), series RollerCoaster Tycoon (guide amusement Park), Zoo Tycoon (construction and multidimensional management of zoo Tycoon Airport (airport management), Mail Tycoon (manual mail) and quite specific areas Luxury Liner Tycoon (design and management chic passenger ocean liner), Mafia Tycoon (office for criminal activity), Animal Paradise Tycoon (construction of Paradise for animals) or Ultimate Skate Park Tycoon (construction and site management for skateboarders), etc.

Turn-based strategy educational resource, showing, for example, the Civilization series (similar to Sim City gives the ability to control not just a single city but the whole country, a nation; the game not only gives an idea about the main stages of development of world history, but also the opportunity to calculate possible scenarios of development of mankind), Alpha Centauri, a series of HOMM (Heroes of Might and Magic training, including the basics of crisis management, the ability to manage in resource-limited and hostile environment), and a series of Panzer General games gives detailed information about the features of armament and military actions of the countries-participants of the Second world war).

An innovative and powerful educational resource to find historical (usually strategic, for example a series of Total War games with their meticulous, meticulous attention to historical heritage (which is expressed, for example, to create the most authentic virtual copies of all the armed forces, the modeling of historical maps with all real at the time, States, etc.). Interestingly, these games not only provide an opportunity for learning (for example, the management of the appropriate kind of troops), but full of historical education in the relevant field. In the West, such products are actively used in the classroom for world history (interactive, playful "boring" history has a particular appeal), and analyses in the classroom for aesthetics as urgent phenomena of contemporary media art. At the same time, mastering the initial skills of management, a player can implement a characteristic of all computer games interactive own alternative temporality, in the event that the Total War series (as in the original publications, and official and unofficial modifications (mods) is expressed in the possibility, for example, replay the entire history of the Middle Ages, to stop the invasion of the Mongols, or conquer Western Europe, the Principality of Kiev. In turn, these historic games with their meticulous, meticulous attention to historical heritage (which is expressed, for example, to create the most authentic virtual copies of all of the medieval armed forces, the modeling of historical maps with all actually existing at the time the States such as the Sultanate of Ghurid, Romeyskoy Empire or power of Khwarezm, etc.) at the same time discover an innovative and powerful educational resource.

Popular genre of MMORPG (massive multiplayer online role-playing game) educational resource, showing not only the "historical" products (such as unexpectedly gained global popularity of World of Tanks with detailed representation of all tanks of World war II), but also a fantastic gaming worlds like World of WarCraft, not only gives an idea of the archetypes of fantasy literature, but also developing skills of communication, trade, management in the virtual social environment.

A wide range of educational use of computer games covers even such, at first glance distant from the virtual entertainment sector, as medicine. A recent study, the results of which are published in Archives of Surgery, indicates that the fascination with computer games has a positive impact on the professional skills of surgeons. In the experiment participated 33 of the practitioner. Of the doctors for some time of electronic games at least three hours a week. In the end, nine doctors, played computer games, in subsequent testing did 37 percent fewer errors, performed work 27 percent faster and demonstrated 47% better possession skills than the 15 surgeons who never played computer games" (3). Particularly useful to the fascination with video games the doctor who performs operations on the abdominal cavity of the patient through a puncture of the abdominal wall using an optical device (laparoscope), because these procedures require high precision and accuracy. It is these qualities that often develop when playing computer games. One of the authors of the experiment - the Professor of psychology from Iowa state University Douglas Gentile notes that the study results come as a big surprise, and Dr. James Rosser, working in the new York medical center Beth Israel, the staff of which took part in the study believed that computer games should be included in the training of surgeons. It should be noted that in the world there are already a variety of simulators for surgical cases.

In the applied context of computer games can be used in the educational process, such as a special gaming training programs used during lectures, during tests, examination tests. Another productive option is to use game tutorials students during a career guidance practice.

At the institutional level in Russia computer games now even include in the school curriculum. Recently the Ministry of education commissioned the development and creation of online-learning games to teach pupils and students the basics of life safety (life safety). "The competition is announced within the framework of the Federal target program "Decrease in risks and softening of consequences of emergency situations (es) of natural and technogenic character in the Russian Federation up to 2015". The cost of creating the sample of the Ministry of education was estimated at 44 million rubles. Using the three-dimensional virtual games schoolchildren and students of higher educational institutions will practice skills of behavior in emergency situations. The project involves the creation of a pilot online resource with tests at 2-3 schools. In the terms of reference stated that the work must be performed at a high scientific-technical and research level: the choice of solutions must be carefully justified for each age group (12 to 18 years) is required to create a program" (4). Another institutional example is the Republican multimedia center of the Ministry of education develops e-learning resources – multimedia applications for lessons, virtual labs and interactive homework. Using e-learning resources. "the teacher may now not work like a tape machine, and to move from broadcasting the debate. To discuss, explore, together with students. Information technology must help the teacher to conduct an effective lesson. The teacher's job becomes more challenging but also the most creative" (5). At the same time, many e-learning resources in the form of online games not only provides information and practical tasks, but also involve the evaluation and certification of a learner (even on such specific subjects as the preparation of soup).

Another interesting example in favor of the innovative educational possibilities of modern computer games is their use in business schools as new ways of training managers and IT specialists. IBM presented a three-dimensional business game, designed to manage business processes. The character is controlled with the joystick, can move freely through the building and to communicate with colleagues in the style of the game Second Life. The player receives the task from the head of the company, at first fairly simple, sufficient for understanding a particular business process. The difficulty gradually increases and gamers must work to optimize and report on the implementation of the authorities. In the end, the learner can see scoring points" (6). And in an online version of the game, users can not only compare the success of the tasks, but also to interact with each other in order to intensify the business process.

In General, modern computer games find a wide range of research opportunities that may be relevant not only in light of their innovative educational opportunities, but also in the context of interdisciplinary perspective of Humanities and social studies.

(Text quoted. by: Sukhov A. A. Innovative educational resource of modern computer games // proceedings of the tenth international scientific-methodological conference "New educational technologies in universities" (NOTV-2013) (06-08 February 2013). The book of abstracts of the conference participants. – Yekaterinburg, 2013. [Electronic resource]. – mode of access: http://notv.urfu.ru/notv/818/1839/ (7C.).

Literature:

1. Rfactor. [Electron. resource]. – Mode of access: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFactor
2. Ibid.
3. Archives of Surgery. [Electron. resource]. – Mode of access: http://science.compulenta.ru/307914.
4. Computer games include in the school curriculum [Electron. resource]. – Mode of access: http://pedsovet.org/content/view/13956/265/
5. Agranovich M. the adventures of "shooters" in schools Why computer games? [Electron. resource]. – Mode of access: http://www.rg.ru/2011/11/01/school.html
6. Game innovators. Which computer games prefer business? // Computerra. [Electron. resource]. – Mode of access: http://www.begin.ru/main/news_and_articles/articles/IBM_game

Source https://media.ls.urfu.ru/219/643/1381/

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