Readers who want a basic primer on how video games may promote learning may wish to give James Paul Gee’s Good Video Games + Good Learning a spin. With his folksy writing style and use of personal anecdotes, Gee’s work is highly accessible and non-threatening, and yet, it does offer some academic perspectives.

This author is a social linguist and professor who came to gaming in his 50s, through his son. It may be safe to assert that his conversion to being a passionate proponent of gaming is somewhat surprising, especially since he suggests that games may improve early language learning and contextualize book learning more effectively—by providing immersive experiences in various fields.

Well designed games nurture human “souls” and promote learning, which is a deep human need, Gee suggests. He doesn’t see video games as promoting violence; he proposes that gamers play a variety of games to enter a variety of worlds, for a more diverse and full-spectrum view. Well designed games mimic human intelligence; they allow spaces for reflection and moral consideration. They encourage the application of learning into problem-solving. They simulate different experiences and promote experiential learning. He also sees games as very social enterprises, around which people interact and communicate. They help learners engage their own learning.

Gee offers a list of suggestions for strong game design which align with the findings of the research literature.

References Gee. J.P. (2007). Good Video Games + Good Learning: Collected Essays on Video Games, Learning and Literacy. New York: Peter Lang.