Not all video games can be inside the classroom, not because they are bad, but because sometimes the little ones are not ready for them. That’s why teachers should choose those that can best help their class advance both academically and socially. Educational video games fulfil these functions, as they offer a balance between entertainment and learning, which makes them perfect for reinforcing the topics seen in class, while promoting the social-emotional development of students in an inclusive environment, which is vital for shy children.
An educational video game not only brings advantages for the children who play it, but also for the teacher who uses it. With a good educational video game in the classroom, the teacher will be able to identify social dynamics of the students that could not be seen with a normal dynamic or will be able to notice problems of comprehension of topics in each one of them without the need to apply too many tests, the benefits are very varied.
More than an educational tool, educational video games are also social glue
Often for shyer children, school becomes a little more difficult to cope with, as feelings of self rejection, shame and inhibition manifest themselves and prevent them from developing as they would like to. So how do you make it easier for shy children to adapt to their group and school? The answer lies in a resource that is entertaining and fun for them: Educational video games.
Educational video games in the classroom create community
For shy children it is often difficult to form a group of friends, as it is easy for them to be left out of the conversation. But what if the conversation is about passing a level in a video game with their peers? Playing video games as a group in the classroom helps them to mingle with their peers, comment on what they see, laugh together, make themselves known, and build friendships, because video games are about community. Rather than competing with each other, the group works as a team to solve a given situation within the game and even if they are not ready to take control of the game, video games are an activity that lets you participate just by watching.
Educational video games in the classroom are regulated
As in any community activity, video games need a referee and moderator. This is where the teachers come in. They monitor compliance with the rules and, above all, respectful debate around the video game, thus giving shy children the security to express themselves freely without fear of bullying or disqualification.
Educational video games in the classroom create friendship
When the group video game session is over, the discussion about it remains. The kids comment on what they liked, the conversation opens up and it is now easier for those who are shy to talk and consequently make friends.
Educational video games in the classroom benefit academically
For shy children and for those who are not the potential of video games goes beyond motor-spatial coordination, as they have the ability to graphically explain complex concepts, reinforce a lesson, build habits of analysis and problem solving among many other academic and human skills.
Where to start?
Finding educational video games that offer the best for students and teachers alike can be difficult, TAK-TAK-TAK video games were created so that girls and boys can learn while having fun, they have a wide variety of themes, for example: “IOIO” teaches number relationships, “Melodines” brings girls and boys closer to learning the basics of Music and “Cañón Tortuga” teaches addition and mental arithmetic. All TAK-TAK-TAK video games are educational, exciting and allow you to get the most out of technology and education
For children, school should not be something that is difficult to handle, much less for those who are shy, so why not make their school memorable even in daily classes?
TAK-TAK-TAK video games have the power to do so, because in addition to helping them learn the topics seen in class, they also facilitate the integration of the group, thus benefiting shy children and their peers who are not.
Sources and references:
How Dungeons & Dragons Can Help Kids Develop Social-Emotional Learning Skills. (2019, May 13). Retrieved August 21, 2019, from KQED website: https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/51784/how-dungeons-dragons-can-help-kids-develop-social-emotional-learning-skills
Meyer, R. (2014, September 3). It’s Totally Normal to Watch Other People Play Video Games. Retrieved August 22, 2019, from The Atlantic website: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/09/its-totally-normal-to-watch-other-people-play-video-games/379476/
Suderman, P. (2019, May 25). Opinion | Are Video Games the Best New Social Network? The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/25/opinion/sunday/video-games-anthem-fortnite.html
Morrison, Andrew. (2004) “The Culture of Shame” (Second Edition)
