59% of teachers would consider using video games in schools

According to the investigation, commissioned as part of Teaching with Games, a research project by NESTA Futurelab and EA, 59% of teachers questioned would consider using games in their classroom for educational purposes. The study also found that 53% would consider using computer games as an interactive tool to help motivate and engage pupils.

The majority of teachers questioned believed that playing mainstream games can lead to improved skills and knowledge, with 91% feeling that those who played games developed their motor-cognitive skills, and 60% felt that users would develop a higher order thinking skills and could also acquire topic-specific knowledge.

"I am excited and intrigued by the prospect of using gaming technology in the classroom. Individualised learning, at rates hitherto thought impossible, may be the norm if we get it right," said Marius Frank, Head Teacher at Bedminster Down School in Bristol.

One of the issues to come from the poll are the barriers stopping the use of mainstream games in schools. Firstly there is a lack of equipment available in schools capable of running the games. There is also a lack of evidence to support the educational value of mainstream games, and the concern that computer games may "present stereotypical views of others and lead to anti-social behaviour."

Teaching with Games is attempting to explore the issues of using interactive computer games in school by using three games: The Sims 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 and Knights of Honor. Researchers will be working with teachers to develop lesson plans to incorporate these games.

"The Poll confirms what we have long believed at EA - that interactive computer games have the capacity to engage both teachers and learners. In a short space of time, Teaching with Games has already highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry and the education sector to show how learning can be enhanced through gaming," commented Claus Due, Market Development Manager, EA Europe.

Video games in schools? What will they think of next?