Leveraging the time children spend on games to create educational experiences is one of the conclusions of the 2009 Game Changer Report from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. This report combines results of interviews with experts and analyzes the literature on the topic of gaming in education. It suggests that, “Digital games offer a promising an untapped opportunity to leverage children’s enthusiasm and to help transform learning in America.”
Beyond education, the report suggests that digital games can even improve physical health (e.g. Dance Dance Revolution), hygiene habits and disease management.
They suggest there is a need for:
- To implement R&D initiatives at federal and state levels
- Creative innovative public-private partnerships
- Support adult guidance – e.g. get parents and teachers involved. It even suggests a “digital teacher corps” modeled after Teach for America.
- Modernize public media – TV to games, as well as mobile delivery
- Create a public dialog on the topic
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