Parents and Game Companies... Both Happy?

Video game companies and parents may sometimes have conflicting interests. Video game companies want kids to play their games. Many parents may want their kids to spend less time playing video games.

What if the game companies and parents could both be happier?

I believe this is possible with educational video games.

Students would be given in-game benefits based on the degree to which they have mastered the academic material. They could be given codes that connect to their performance on test/quizzes while they are at school. When students are home, they can enter the code and play the video games.

Parents could feel better about their children playing video games if the games are connected to their educational achievement. Many parents may be more comfortable with their children playing video games if they feel that the games are being used as a more structured and supervised learning environment. Educational video games could also provide a way for parents to monitor and support their children's learning progress.

The video game companies would be happy to have children playing their games and learning as well. Modifying games to be educational could increase profits for game companies. Game companies could also benefit from having more overall support from parents and educators.

By modifying existing games or developing new educational games, game companies can play a more active role in supporting educational efforts. This could involve working closely with educators to develop game content that aligns with curriculum standards and learning goals, as well as providing resources and support to help teachers and students make the most of educational video games.

As with any educational tool or resource, it's important to evaluate the effectiveness of educational video games in supporting student learning and engagement. This could involve collecting data on student performance, as well as gathering feedback from students, teachers, and parents. Ongoing evaluation can help ensure that educational video games are meeting the needs of all stakeholders and providing a meaningful and effective learning experience.