The escalating trend of gaming in the realm of 21st-century learning is undeniably evident. Digital and video games are becoming integral facets of our “digital natives'” lives, imprinted into their daily routines and leisure time. As with every disruptive technology, there’s an inherent skepticism that often takes center stage during its inception.
The dawn of writing nearly six millennia ago wasn’t spared this initial wave of criticism. Renowned philosopher Plato, in his dialogue “Phaedrus,” displayed substantial reservations about writing.
He perceived it as an impersonal, mechanistic knowledge processing method, unyielding to inquiries and potentially detrimental to the sanctity of human memory (Orality and Literacy, Kindle location. 891).
This pattern of skepticism followed every revolutionary invention that punctuated the course of human history—be it the telephone, radio, television, or the internet. Each was met with a similar chorus of doubt and cynicism.
Yet, with time, they transcended these critiques to become transformative forces shaping our civilization, just as digital and video gaming are starting to reshape our educational landscape today.
However, as educators, innovators, and lifelong learners, it’s our responsibility to transcend this initial skepticism and explore the potential these new platforms hold for learning and instruction. This is particularly true for the realm of gaming, a field that holds immense promise for creating interactive, engaging, and learner-centered educational environments.
This potential becomes even more evident when we dive into some of the most insightful literature on gaming and education. Over the years, several brilliant authors and researchers have delved into this fascinating intersection of games and learning, and their findings offer a compelling case for the educational value of games.
From James Paul Gee’s exploration of video games’ potential for literacy learning, to Jane McGonigal’s groundbreaking work on how games can change the world, the breadth and depth of this body of literature is truly impressive.
Similarly, other authors like Tom Chatfield, Marc Prensky, Katie Salen Tekinba, and Kurt Squire, among others, have made remarkable contributions to our understanding of the diverse ways games can be harnessed for learning.
In this post, I share some of the best books on video games, books that will certainly enlighten our understanding of the whole concept of video games and drive us to embrace them in our teaching.
Disclaimer: Please note, the links below are Amazon affiliate links.
1- What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy, by James Paul Gee
In this transformative read, James Paul Gee explores the constructive aspects of video games, even those with violent themes. He examines how these interactive platforms can inspire positive engagement, offering fresh insights into the potential of gaming to revolutionize learning and literacy.
2- Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, by Jane McGonigal
Jane McGonigal’s ground-breaking work delves into the transformative power of gaming. She advocates for the application of gaming principles to address real-world issues, from personal mental health to global challenges, demonstrating how games can impact and even reshape our reality.
3- Fun: Inc: Why Gaming Will Dominate the Twenty-First Century, by Tom Chatfield
Fun Inc. offers a robust defense of the role of video games in contemporary culture. Chatfield convincingly portrays gaming not just as an entertainment form but as a dynamic arena for intellectual exploration and development, making it an influential force in the 21st century.
4- Good Video Games and Good Learning: Collected Essays on Video Games, Learning and Literacy, by James Paul Gee
In this thought-provoking collection, Gee explores the profound relationships between video games, learning, and literacy. Covering a wide range of topics, including the potential of gaming to foster critical skills and the controversial aspects of games, Gee provides unique insights into young people’s varied learning experiences in gaming and academic settings.
5- Don’t Bother Me Mom–I’m Learning, by Marc Prensky
Prensky challenges conventional perceptions with a daring argument: video and computer games can offer valuable learning experiences for today’s digital-savvy youth. He highlights how games promote key skills such as collaboration, risk-taking, strategy, and moral decision-making, preparing young players for the demands of the future.
6- The Ecology of Games: Connecting Youth, Games, and Learning, by Katie Salen Tekinba
Tekinba’s book examines video games as dynamic ecosystems where young users learn, create, and interact. Moving beyond the binary debate over games’ value, she provides a nuanced understanding of gaming’s potential to foster meaningful learning experiences.
7- Video Games and Learning: Teaching and Participatory Culture in the Digital Age, by Kurt Squire
Squire’s book unravels how the participatory nature of digital media and games can be harnessed for educational purposes. Drawing on extensive research, he presents a comprehensive model that integrates games analysis, gaming cultures, and educational game design, painting a promising picture of education’s future.
8- Games, Learning, and Society: Learning and Meaning in the Digital Age, by Constance Steinkuehler (Editor), Kurt Squire Ph.D. (Editor), Sasha Barab Ph.D. (Editor)
In this pioneering volume, leading scholars delve into the multidimensional intersection of video games, learning, and culture. Offering comprehensive insights on game design and its role in 21st-century pedagogy, the authors highlight the transformative potential of games as dynamic platforms for learning and societal change.
9- How to Do Things with Videogames, by Ian Bogost
Ian Bogost provides a broad exploration of how video games can serve as powerful tools beyond entertainment. From documenting historical events to educating generations and even promoting commercial products, Bogost’s series of provocative essays redefine video games as multifaceted, culturally impactful mediums.
10- Digital Games and Learning: Research and Theory, by Nicola Whitton
Nicola Whitton offers a compelling blend of research and theory on digital games and learning. Drawing from various disciplines, Whitton focuses on the role of digital games as learning environments, motivational tools, playful spaces, and educational technologies, providing an integrated perspective on how games contribute to educational advancements.
11- Gaming Lives in the Twenty-First Century: Literate Connections, by Gail E. Hawisher (Editor), Cynthia L. Selfe (Editor)
Gaming Lives presents a comprehensive study of how gaming influences literacy development. Using real-life case studies of gamers, this book offers in-depth analyses of how gaming experiences can foster literacy skills, suggesting that gaming environments may even surpass traditional schooling in cultivating these proficiencies.
12- Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter, by Steven Johnson
In this insightful exploration, Steven Johnson argues that popular culture – through mediums such as video games and TV shows – is enhancing our cognitive skills. Far from dulling our minds, Johnson posits that the complexity of modern pop culture is introducing new cognitive challenges, thereby sharpening our intellect.
13- Gamify: How Gamification Motivates People to Do Extraordinary Things, by Brian Burke
Brian Burke’s Gamify underscores the power of gamification as a tool for engagement, motivation, and goal achievement. It demonstrates how game-based mechanics can stimulate behavioral change, skill development, and innovation, adding a dynamic element to personal growth and organizational success.
14- The Gamification of Learning and Instruction: Game-based Methods and Strategies for Training and Education. By Karl M. Kapp
Karl M. Kapp provides a convincing case for using game elements in learning design. Arguing that gamification is not merely about introducing points and badges, but about redefining the learning process, Kapp offers a comprehensive guide for education professionals seeking to effectively gamify learning experiences.
