Games Based Learning

In February I wrote about the Horizon Report which predicted that games based learning would enter mainstream education within the next 2-3 years. Research has shown the potential of games for fostering communication, collaboration, problem-solving and procedural thinking.  In the movie New Learners of the 21st Century, we see how the Quest to Learn school has built on the power and importance of play - what they call "bringing thought and action together".  Gaming allows play to be productive, allows for experimentation and for learning from failure.  Students are working towards a goal and become more skillful in problem-solving, decision making and innovation as they collaborate and socialise.

The first part of this movie deals with what it is important for students to be able to do today - to be able to embrace change.  Memorization and "learning a bunch of facts they can't use" is not as important as knowing how to find trustworthy information.  At Quest to Learn the students appear motivated and inspired and learn how to become better learners by developing their passions and interests.