Game based learning is not a new thought. What is changing is the technology aspect. I wonder if back in the 1960s educators thought that McGraw-Hill was being radical and "too" progressive when they develped the SRA program. I remember the SRA of my early years as being fun and educational. I could not get through the cards quickly enough.
I believe that the role of gaming will change the face of education, but there will also come a time when the definition of gaming changes, as what was once fun becomes work. Gaming in education is not the end, it is only the beginning.
Resource: I will be using a couple of references. When I read the passage quoted I instantly thought of the "gaming" of my early education. I LOVED SRA cards. They were radical and forward thinking at the time and they were fun! They must have been fun, students wanted to use them, wanted to read the stories and answer the questions which enabled the student to earn rewards. Wow! They were not books, they were not complex or traditional. They were awesome! Here is one blog about SRA. McGraw Hill still offer this reading comprehension system.
Progressive educators have always found a way to engage students and make learning fun. That is still true, to keep students learning and active in the educational process we need to adapt the delivery of the content into a system that is not only educational, but also fun and engaging. We must equip students with the life skills to be successfull. In the 1960s it was good enough to ensure that reading comprehension skills were good, that is just not enough today. We must keep pushing the bar higher.
Works Cited:
McGraw Hill. Website. https://www.mheonline.com/program/view/1/1/109/0076021122/
O'Leary, T. (2012, September 21). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://gamesweplayed.com/2012/09/21/journey-back-to-sra-reading-labs-from-the-1970s/
Spires, H. A., Lee, J. K., & Lester, J. (2008). The 21st century learner and game based learning. Meridian , 11(1), Retrieved from http://www.ncsu.edu/meridian/win2008/21st/03.htm
Excellent quote and links. I believe that technology will always be pushing the envelope in education. I remember seeing SRA cards in my youth.
ReplyDeleteI agree that game-based learning is not new but technology is. Gaming and simulations are becoming more important. I know I wish I had access to technology for my classroom. There are so many chemistry model kits that would be useful for my students.
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with SRA cards but I learned from your source I was just not familiar with the name. After digging into your sources I too remembered liking SRA cards.
Thanks for sharing!
I really loved SRA too! It really stands out as high point in my school career. I think it was the learn at your own pace model and instant feedback about your reading level that I liked the most.
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