Games-based resources - books
Don’t bother me mom---I’m learning!
Author: Marc Prensky
Publisher: Paragon
ISBN: 1557788588
An interesting introduction into how computer games can act as powerful learning tools. He argues that games implicitly create the contexts through which problem solving, language and cognitive skills, strategic thinking, multitasking, and parallel processing can be developed. He also attempts to assuage parental concerns about computer games as well as addressing the moral panics associated with games.
Everything bad is good for you: How popular culture is making us smarter
Author: Steve Johnson
Publisher: Penguin Books
ISBN: 0141018682
In this book the author presents an iconoclastic thesis called the Sleeper Curve. This means that media must continually trend upwards so that increased cognitive work is required on the part of the consumer in order to engage with and understand it. Be it mastering how to play inside World of Warcraft or following the plot of The Sopranos he looks at modern day media and its associated culture in a way that may challenge your thinking. His chapters on computer games as learning tools will definitively have you looking at them in a different light.
Killing Monsters: Our Children's Need for Fantasy, Heroism and Make-believe Violence
Author: Gerard Jones
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465036961
Computer games do have a dubious reputation in many people’s eyes. Some games have been linked with murders and claims have been made that they have been the catalyst or even training ground for those in society who wish to harm others. However, in this book Gerard Jones argues that video games, movies, music and comics provide a safe fantasy world within which children learn to become familiar with and control the frightening emotions of anger, violence and sexuality.
What video Games have to teach us about learning and literacy?
Author: James Paul Gee
Publisher: Palgrave MacMillan
ISBN: 1403965382
In this text Gee asks a number of important questions for those involved in education to consider: why are children are engaged by games? are games designers more aware than teachers of the practical application of learning theory? What is there in the design of a game that allows very young learners to implicitly understand rich and complex environments? These questions are discussed in relation to his work involving young learners playing computer games. A must read for those who are looking to find out that little bit more about the potential of games based learning.