Video Games are the Future of Elearning Online

I think that majority of parents and teachers underestimate the value of video games. Usually, these games are viewed as distractions and disruptors of effective, traditional classroom learning because they divert students from the tasks of memorizing, reading and basically absorbing mounds of information all at once. However, what these people don’t realize is that video games have become so interactive, impeccably designed and truly educational that it has the possibility of becoming the future of elearning online itself.

Admittedly, video games are not solutions to educational problems. What I’m trying to point out is that it would not hurt to look to these life simulations as a possible means of delivering quality educational content to modern learners through elearning online, which is currently a rising trend in society. Designers and developers can use video games as patterns from which new era courses can be based on.


elearning online

These are virtual worlds that are powerful contexts for learning experiences. Unlike in traditional forms of learning where words must first be memorized or understood in order to make meaningful associations with symbols and actions, video games turn the process around on its head and allow gamers to learn in reverse. People who enjoy video games have the benefit of gaining virtual experience of concrete realities that lessons try to describe and explain. They can enjoy the advantage of situated understanding by experiencing situations beforehand, and then being supplied with the information they need along the way.

One of the best things about video games that educators must consider is how willing people are to exert the necessary effort to analyze and triumph over the challenges presented in the simulations. Imagine how effective learning can be if elearning courses can be designed to be like video games that it garners the same kind of attention and passion from students.

I truly believe that video games can become the future of elearning online because of all these things. It’s all about utilizing the influence of these virtual worlds for education’s advantage instead of antagonizing its dominance in society.

Increase Online Participation in Elearning

It’s a given that elearning is increasingly becoming a standard when it comes to learning, especially for the informal sort. Instructors like me are using social networking tools like Twitter and Facebook as elearning tools to attract the student generation of today. You and I both know that social media is popular, but this does not necessarily mean that students participate in learning experiences through them. How can instructors therefore increase the genuine participation online?

It seems that traditional classroom teaching methods are effective even for the hi-tech classes of today. Here are some examples of ways by which you can increase the participation of students online.

1. Lure them. You can reel in students to join in the discussion by asking them by asking for their opinion. Ask them whether or not they agree with what has been said. You can ask them to provide examples that support their stand or contradict the point of the discussion. Moving away from them instead of towards them will force them to speak up which catches the attention of others and encourages them to participate in the discourse.


elearning online

2. Encourage the ‘quiet’ or nonparticipating learners. Those who appear to be quiet are not necessarily uninvolved in what’s happening. It’s best to avoid exerting too much effort to elicit a form of ‘participation’ from them. Usually, these kinds of learners are waiting for a non-threatening opportunity to voice out their opinion.

3. Facilitate actively. Providing active facilitation is not too difficult. You can challenge the learners to give deeper answers, or prevent over-exertive students from dominating debates or discussions. Another example is to firmly reprimand those who participate just for the sake of doing it.

4. Ask useful queries. If you ask a stupid question, you’re sure to get a stupid answer. It is therefore important to make sure that you’re asking effective and useful questions. Avoid asking too objectively as this only encourages the recollection of concepts.