The debate over using computer games as learning will probably never end. I however am I huge supporter of using games to help students learn, especially in the primary grades. There are some great games and or software that can be used to enhance student learning. The website: http://www.abcya.com/index.htm, is an excellent example of using computer games to enhance student learning.
One reason that I think its a great idea is because the games are almost always interactive. Also the games meet different learning styles all at once. Many of the games will talk for the auditory learner. There's required movement for the tactile leaner. Watching the examples or following the movement on the screen will serve the visual learner. Even more importantly the students can learn at their own pace, making small victories and mistakes at their own comfort level.
Also using these games in primary, introduces the students to using basic computer skills.
Personally I have seen computer games teach basic reading skills, language acquisition and many other skills. My son uses the games daily and has for the past two years. Due to his autism he was completely nonverbal until he started using starfall.com. Within two weeks of using the website he was naming objects, naming letters and sounds and counting. This website also encourage him to use the mouse more effeciently. He now uses pbskids.org, nickjr.com and many other websites. Most of the sites he visits uses similar learning objectives and he can spell words and finish sentences , even estimate! Most of these games go along with some TV show that he watches so there is some motivation for him there as well.
I think that as with anything else, these games are tools and if used properly, can be a great asset to students.
http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=531; is an online presentation by a teacher who uses computer games in his classroom.
http://www.articlesbase.com/computer-games-articles/educational-computer-games-as-effective-learning-tools-904236.html; an article about using computer games as learning tools
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I really appreciate how you explain the success of using the computer/video games with your son. Maybe a valuable approach for schools or individual teachers would be to reach out to parents with information and suggestions of how they can use on-line and video game systems in their homes in a more effective way to help their students with academic skills and higher order thinking skills.
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