This document discusses how the mobile game Angry Birds can be used as an educational tool. It notes that Angry Birds promotes learning physics and reasoning concepts through hands-on puzzle solving that involves gravity, momentum, trajectories and chain reactions. It suggests that students can add educational value by explaining their strategies in the game and discussing the most effective approaches with others. The document also provides links to other presentations on using video games in education.
1. Mobile Video Games as
Educational Tools
A very brief look at how Angry Birds
can be used in education
Edward Joe
EDIM 510 Web 2.0
2. Good Learning Programs
• Easy to pick up and
explore
• Multiple paths to
success
• Opportunity and
incentive to build
proficiency http://www.flickr.com/photos/naokomc/6222765713/
• Learning is paced, and
builds upon itself
3. Only Good if...
• Designed
appropriately
• Used correctly
within the
curriculum
• Promote re- http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmargh/4532607526
/
cursive learning
4. Angry Birds Promotes
Physics and Reasoning
• Gravity, momentum,
and trajectory
• Different physical
surface destructibility
• Chain reactions
• Real-world physics
concepts through http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomcuriosity/5001390988/
hands-on, trial-and-
error puzzle-solving
5. Adding Value
Students can:
• Explain the game.. in
writing
• Describe their
strategy
• Discuss with others
most effective
strategy
• After one level,
explain why they did
what they did http://blog.asha.org/2011/07/28/barbara-fernandes-angry-
birds/
6. Other Online Presentations on
Education and Video Games
• Keynote presentation with
good examples.
http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/paulpivec/play-to-learn-keynote-by-
• 55 slide presentation on the
pedagogy of using video
games.
http://www.slideshare.net/s_milly/using-video-games-for-educational-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timmargh/4531974897
/
Design elements in Angry Birds spark positive influences for skill acquisition. Players can jump right in with little to no learning curve, follow multiple paths to success, and are offered incentives toward productivity.
A game can’t stand alone by itself. Students must have guidance.
Students can learn about gravity… etc. as well as explain their thought process and reasoning.
The key is to have students discuss, talk, describe in words verbally or written why they chose what they did. How did they plan… what is there though process?
Slideshare already has more detailed explanations of why and how to use video games to enhance education.
