Video Games in School by Guest Blogger, Andy Robertson

 


Foreword by James. 

I came across Andy Robertson on Twitter after a chat he had with Jane from Drift IT services about the educational uses of video games in school. We arranged a Zoom chat and had a fascinating conversation about everything from his journey through his various YouTube channels to his latest project, a family video game database. I was so impressed by the site! Games are reviewed by Andy and other families and the search filter is incredibly detailed.  You can actually search for games you can play with your eyes closed! There are games lists sorted by skills and styles that you can choose from, however my favourite feature is that it recommends alternative age appropriate games that are similar to all the 18-rated games children want to play like Call of Duty or GTA. It recommends similar styles of play, skill and visuals but without all the gore, violence and language that makes the games inappropriate for primary aged children. 

Andy has kindly written a blog for me to post which recommends some great games that have educational value. Check out the database at www.taminggaming.com. 

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Video Games In Junior School

by Andy Robertson,

author of Taming Gaming book for parents and teachers.


It’s easy to think that using a video game in a lesson amounts to loading Minecraft or Scratch onto the school tablets or computers. However, there are many more games that can slide easily and simply into all sorts of lesson topics and learning aims. Also, many of them are much simpler to use than Minecraft which can be a bit of a task to setup.


I run the Family Video Game Database that has lots of examples of games that are great for education. These are games that run on simple technology and are quick to learn by children who don’t (or do) play games themselves. Here are some good examples:


Townscaper https://www.taminggaming.com/game/Townscaper (PC/Mac) is an interactive way to design your own seaside town. With a few clicks you can create complex and beautiful locations. This can be an exercise in planning and architecture in itself or as a location in which to place creative writing.


Mini Metro https://www.taminggaming.com/game/Mini+Metro (Android, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and iOS) lets you create an underground transport system with a simple and easy to use interface. It encourages creative solutions to transporting people from station to station with limited resources.


Spaceteam https://www.taminggaming.com/game/Spaceteam (Android and iOS) is a game played on a tablet. Each of the 6 player team has different buttons on their spaceship controls and must communicate with each other when they get instructions to press a particular setting in time. It’s a great way to look at communication and leadership.


Wilmots Warehouse https://www.taminggaming.com/game/Wilmots+Warehouse  (Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC and iOS) is a game about organising a warehouse of stock. You have to categorise your items to be sure you can find them. But should the gloves go in the winter section or the clothing section? You work together to invent meaningful categories and get your customers what they want.


Lots more examples can be found in this list of educational games https://www.taminggaming.com/search/category/Educational+Games+That+Are+Also+Good+Games on the database.

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