Archive for the ‘Educational Video Games’ Category
What Gaming Can Teach
In this world of technology there is more instance of children playing video games than board games. And although endless hours of gaming is not a good practice there are some learning advantages to video games.
Obviously, many subjects at different grade levels are offered through computer games but regular video games can teach too. The new technology of the Wii system allows for fun, fitness and learning as well as developing hand-eye coordination. Some games require strategy and logic to advance, keeping the mind at work. Many “Sim” type games offer chances of social interaction, worldly knowledge etc. from the safety of your own home. You can learn about finances, schedules and more through a simulated character. Even games that have a child looking after a pet can help to develop responsibility. And some games offer a chance for kids to join together in teamwork in order to win the game.
Although video games can be overpowering for many children, when played in moderation, they can provide a form of education as well.
Wouldn’t you love to have an entire lesson in one box! Well you can with educational CD-ROMS.
Many educational computer games include the basics for lessons in English, Math, Art, Geography, and other languages. An hour of playtime with one of these computer games can include an entire lesson without the children even realizing they are learning. It is a lesson of fun in a box (monitor)!
For many homeschoolers, learning is an integral part of their life, their everyday routine. Every day there is learning whether it be in the classroom, on a field trip or running errands.
It is important to encourage learning. An easy way to do this is giving educational gifts. A book, a game, a science kit or even a craft kit all have the potential to inspire learning in children. Don’t forget educational video games too - fun and learning together! Inspire learning not only in your own children, but other children to whom you give gifts.
So what makes home-schoolers qualified to teach our children? Well, obviously we can’t know everything, but we can look it up and learn it along with them, relegate to a professional or provide instructional video to teach the lesson.
Many times, the tip for teaching a subject that is not familiar is to read ahead. Staying a chapter or two ahead of your student will allow you to help them learn and answer their questions. Field trips can also be used in place of a lesson that you may not know as much about. Let the experts help you! Instructional DVDs can also be helpful. A DVD that teaches French can be a useful resource for parent teachers that haven’t any French background. The key to teaching what you don’t know is to know where to get help!
An auditory learner is one that learns better with hearing. The more sounds that can be brought into the lesson, the better this learner will understand.
Sounds can be from reading aloud, books on tape, movies on DVD or video, computer games and more. Music is also a strong teacher for auditory learners which means rhyming, rhythm and beats can help enforce lessons. Singing multiplication tables, rhyming poems about history or stomping out spelling words are all great learning devices for auditory learners.
Conscientious parents can be wary of the dangers lurking online – and understandably so. The Internet is chock full of images and pieces of information that are only suitable for a mature adult. But that harsh reality is no reason to deprive home-schooled students of benefits of computers. As a preventative measure, you can install software that restricts access to morally reprehensible Web sites.
Educational PC games provide a safe learning environment where kids can hone their academic skills while enjoying themselves at the same time. These experiences are especially rare in public schools, where learning comes to be associated with drudgery and rote memorization. By keeping your home-school curriculum fresh, you can guarantee your child’s interest and full participation.
Many active students are kinesthetic learners. That is they learn by doing. The key to teaching these learners is to keep them doing. A great learning tool for kinesthetic learners is manipulatives.
Manipulatives are items that are used to enforce the lesson rather than worksheets and written work. Other great tools for kinesthetic learners are models, magnet letters, and video games. Educational video games can keep the mind active and amused while helping to encourage learning.