ODYSSEYWARE

Given the choice between reading about cake and savoring the delicious sweetness, most people would choose the latter. Today’s students are no different when it comes to learning. In fact, research indicates that students actually learn more about cake when they indulge.

The fact that multisensory engagement aids retention and facilitates learning is not a new concept. Enabled by technology, media-rich interactive games are simply a step into today’s real – and digitally-powered world. Incorporated into online curriculum, they have become a proven academic tool for today’s learners.

According to a video titled “Big Thinkers,” Arizona State University Professor James Paul Gee (2008) commented that in order to be successful in the future, students must move away from facts-as-knowledge educational models to those that focus on problem solving and collaboration. 

“Scientists have always learned the language of science by doing science. Video games just allow kids to do a lot more things. Things that would be too expensive to do in the real world or things that we can’t get everybody to do in the real world. All a video game is doing is problem solving. A video game is just an assessment. All you do is get assessed every moment as you try to solve a problem, and if you don’t solve it, the game says you failed. Try again, and you solve it. They’re giving you feedback all the time about the learning curve you’re on.” 

Considered a break from actual instruction, games often get a bad reputation in educational circles. Actually, interactive games integrated into curriculum not only engage multiple senses but improve problem-solving skills. In these applications students progress through increasingly complicated real-world problems with multiple opportunities to advance to the next level, receiving instant feedback for improvement with complete control over the outcome.

When you focus on function instead of form, video games seem to be an optimal platform for multisensory learning. Appropriately chosen and used in conjunction with off-computer projects and reading, video games and other technology-rich teaching tools deliver a more engaging learning experience.

What do you think? Isn’t it time to set aside the notion that learning is somehow embedded in the pages of textbooks? Don’t just give your students cake. Let them eat it, too! 

With more than 30,000 multimedia activities incorporated into its curriculum, ODYSSEYWARE is committed to providing not only relevant, compelling material, but keeping students engaged with interactive multisensory learning opportunities. Watching students succeed is the icing on the cake.