Teachers and mentors around the world are puzzled by the “Wikipedia Problem”, which is a phenomenon that sees children turning to the internet for answers. Nearly equal numbers of teachers consider technology a solution and a problem. Although the general consensus is that technology is hindering students’ ability to think and analyze, there are strong opinions in favor of digital gadgets and video games’ ability to engage students and enhance learning through multiple sensory stimulators. Institutions are now integrating them into classroom learning, despite growing concerns about students’ attention spans.
Children are naturally curious creatures. Children are naturally curious and will explore new things. Science is the science of experiments and discoveries. According to the National Science Education Standards, science education must teach students three types of scientific skills and understandings. The National Science Education Standards require that students learn the concepts and principles of science, understand the reasoning and procedure of scientists, as well as the nature of science. Students must be able and willing to carry out research that tests their ideas and understand why they are so powerful. Research shows that students retain and understand concepts better if they are taught this way. It is therefore crucial to get children involved in science education from an early age.
Digital games can be more effective at attracting students’ attention and capturing their interest than traditional methods of teaching education in a classroom. Some educationists consider them to be the cause of a rapid decline in attention span among children. This article will discuss how children are involved in digital gaming in the tech age and what games are available on the market. It will also discuss the impact of digital games as learning aids for classrooms.
Gaming and New Age Kids
The possibilities of modern video gaming have been expanded by digital technology. Children are now exposed to a more challenging and complex technological environment than their peers from half a century ago. Digital gaming has become a popular activity for children due to many changes in society’s culture and lifestyle. Screen games have become an integral part of children’s lives due to their easy accessibility to technology, low income due the dual-income families, and lack of outdoor infrastructure in many cities. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010) discovered that only 20% of census blocks are located within half a mile from a block boundary. In these days of social networking, peer pressure is not to be underestimated.
One of the fastest-growing segments in the global entertainment market is digital gaming. The US is seeing unprecedented adoption of digital games amongst its youth. 97% of teens in the US play some kind of game regularly. The Indian gaming market has seen a tremendous growth in recent years. It is important that educators continue to consider the potential use of digital games as learning tools in classrooms. Innovative ways are being used by institutions to take advantage of the digital advantage in order to enhance the learning experience in schools.