Unique Original Articles » When does a game become educational, and when is it just entertainment?

Parents and teachers are constantly thinking about this: When does a computer game become education, and when is it just entertainment?

Are those games really worth spending our hard earned money, time and energy on?

In our niche of music there are many games: Some of the music games which are available today are nothing more than an evolution of the toy guitar that you’d give a toddler to play with. There are a few that are far more advanced, and are almost close to playing a real instrument.

So what is educational when it comes to games? Music teachers are definitely split on this issue. Most teachers probably won’t be spending much money on music games, they’ll be teaching just like they always have. However there is real educational value in some aspects of the game.

This is the question we need to ask before engaging in any game activity: ”What does this game show or teach me (or my students or children) that I previously did not know?”

Learning something is the process of taking something which is unknown and making it known. That's as simple as it is. Are you making anything known that wasn’t already when you are playing that computer game? If all you are doing is playing one game over and over again you won’t achieve anything but being good at that level.

If however when playing a music game you are constantly introducing new songs, and you use the music game as a vehicle to move forward with skills, then you’ll find this to be a well worthwhile educational experience.

Music game developers should consult instrument specialists when building games about specific instruments, so that playing the game does not negatively impact students technique when playing the real thing. Most do, but as usual when there is a big market there will always be cheap imitations who cut down the price and also cut down the educational value by not investing in this quality researched advice.

If you always ask this question: What is this game teaching me that I previously didn’t know? Then you’ll find that time spent on games will always help... besides being great fun!




The Author, Kevin Tuck is a music teacher and musician of wide experience, playing percussion and drums to a high level, plus numerous other instruments. In his work as editor at the fun music company he is currently developing educational music games for school students.
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