1. The Use of Computer Simulations
and Gaming to Enhance Learning
Lindsay McElroy
Teaching with Technology
June 16, 2008

2. What is Computer Simulation and Gaming?
• “Learning by Doing” – students discover knowledge
through exploration
• Simulation is the imitation of some real thing, state of
affairs, or process
• The simulation game is when participants are provided
with a simulated environment in which to play. These
games are intended to provide students with insight into
the process or event from the real world which is being
simulated.

3. Advantages of Computer Simulation
and Gaming to Enhance Learning
• New opportunities for learning
• Prepares our students to learn critical problem solving and decision
making skills necessary for the real world
• Encourages the development of social and cognitive skills
• Related to real-world and makes you feel like you are there
• Provokes interest and creative thinking
• Gives students immediate feedback
• Enhances better thinking and recalling skills
• Allows students to explore, model, and try out a variety of
strategies
• Good for tutoring, exploring and practicing skills, and attitude
change

4. Subjects that Computer Simulation
Works Best
Physics
Lang
uage
h Arts
Mat

5. Guidelines for Using Gaming in the
Classroom
• The design of the simulations and games should be
sophisticated and challenging enough for students to be
cognitively engaged
• The content of the simulations and games should be
aligned with the standards and the curriculum in the
schools
• The logistics of the games should reflect classroom
realities and time constraints
• The feedback and assessments embedded in the games
should have measurable learning outcomes

6. Examples of Computer Simulations and
Gaming
• SimCity
• The Sims
• America’s Army
• Revolution
• River City

7. Why use Computer Simulations and Gaming?
When designed well computer
simulations and gaming can
facilitate student learning of:
•Specific domain knowledge of
concepts
•Cognitive skills such as:
•Pattern recognition
•Decision making
•Problem solving

8. In Conclusion…..
• Computer simulations and gaming are
more commonly used at the middle
school and high school level
• Gaming is a great teaching tool when
it is age appropriate and it follows the
guidelines for being used in the
classroom
• It is not widely used in all schools
because they need to begin creating
more games with a relationship
between educational needs and gaming
elements. Once this relationship is
understood it will allow them to
develop educational games that include
visualization and problem solving

9. Thank you for viewing my slideshow!!
Your critiques are welcome!
Have a great summer!!