In my country Tanzania, Video Gaming is comparatively a new technology. It has not yet been integrated into the curriculum and it is mostly used for leisure or for fun, a kind of relaxation and some personal competitions. Video Gaming became famous in my country with the introduction of computers and computer classes in schools. Teachers in schools and parents at home would not allow their children to play video games because they think it will divert their attention from studying and hence make them fail in their studies. I remember, for my first time, to have learned to play “Super Mario” game secretly with my friend for fear of being caught by teacher as it was not allowed to play such games.
As time went on, computers were privately owned in the families, and my family had one. I had limited access to it as I could only use it with my mother monitoring. Playing games was only given as a reward for doing well in my homework.
From MindShift article, we learned that the introduction of video games in the classroom does not mean the end of books. Blended learning will not necessarily replace the lecture. Games however, can supplement pedagogical practices with new technological solutions to long-term problems. It is a tool to supplement learning.
In our group discussion, we saw that educational video gaming has crucial benefits in the whole process of teaching and learning. For the video games to be effective, we talked about the importance of having differentiation in game play because students are not always going to be of the same level with each other. We also discussed that students need to be intrinsically motivated; games need to engage players by being fun. Also, students and teachers should be comfortable and know how to play that particular game.
The game that I chose was “Recycle Roundup”. The game is about sorting the stuff people throw away and put it in the proper bin; that is recycling bin, compost bin, or trash bin. The game also gives facts about climate change and tips on how you can help save the earth.
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/games/action-and-adventure/recycle-roundup-new/
I like this game because it engages the students into practically taking care of the environment and keeping their school environment clean. It reinforces the students to be attentive and place the wastes in the proper bin.
Nicky's exploration of Educational Technology 
Hi Nicholaus I really enjoyed your post! Mario was the first video game I ever played as well. I really like the game you chose and could defiantly see myself using this in the classroom especially if it was after a lesson on recycling. I think it is a very important topic that not enough people fully understand. As educators it’s our job to expose recycling to children at a young age so that hopefully we can make a difference in the outside world as well. I also think that the students would enjoy learning about this because of the graphics. Since the monkey is a superhero they will believe that they can also save the planet! Good luck with the rest of your exploration!
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Hi Nicholaus! (Do you prefer to go by Nicky?)
I find it fascinating that so many teachers and education professionals in your life were very much against video games, to the point that you had to play them in fear! While my experience is quite different– I was able to play video games somewhat freely– I think that the stigma surrounding video games that you bring up still exists today.
Your point about the future of video games in the classroom as a supplement to traditional learning is a great one. It seems as though the first step toward blending learning, and perhaps the most effective use of video games, is to use them as instruction supplements. You showcase the power of video games to provide opportunities for students of different abilities to explore the same concept, but in a “scaffolded” way, and I’m wondering how best to differentiate learning for students in video games if the video game doesn’t have varying levels or difficulties built in?
Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Hello Nicholaus!
I like the game that you chose! This could be a great game for younger students while teaching about the environment and or about what’s right and wrong. It can show them what to do at home and while they’re in school if recycling is available. Your experience with only having access to computers when you’ve done something good ie your homework. Since you experienced that a young child, do you believe that computers should only be used as a reward? Or should they be used in the way that we described them in class, as a tool to supplement learning? Great post!
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Hi Briana!
Thank you for your beautiful comment and the question you asked. I really do not believe that computers should only be used as a reward. I feel that they were taken to be so at the time when they were so few and technology was so low in our country. It is a reality now that computers are important working tools to enhance learning and they are now everywhere in the world with the growth of technology. I am tempted even to say that one cannot learn to the best without using computer in one way or another.
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