Benefits of mobile educational games

The benefits of integrating video games in education have been well documented. Studies have shown that educational video games are believed to 1) encourage constructivist learning (Whitton, 2014); 2) challenge and motivate learners (Gee, 2007) and; 3) introduce complex concepts and narratives through experiential learning (Beavis, et al, 2017).

Educational mobile games, being a genre of educational games, embody all the benefits of traditional digital games and more. The prevalence of mobile technologies in every demographic and at every socioeconomic level make them an ideal platform for the delivery of educational material anytime, anywhere. For example, with games such as Classdojo, learners and educators can take control of the learning process by accessing high-quality learning materials at any time of the day, from almost any location. Students are encouraged to collaborate with other players and interact with their teachers and surroundings, which results in much higher levels of participation and motivation.

Another benefit of mobile educational games is their potential to enhance immersion. With advances in mobile technology, new features such as location tracking and live casting, mobile games can improve a player's sense of immersion and thereby, learning is more engaging. Agents of Discovery is a great example. Hailing from Kelowna BC, this app allows teachers to create their own mobile AR missions of discovery for their students. Mobile games such as these also incorporate a social aspect into education that is impossible at a desk or a desktop. Unlike traditional video games where players can only interact with others in a virtual world, mobile games allow users to gather in person in the real world.

Unfortunately, just as mobile educational games are making impressive advances in both technology and pedagogy, there is a popular sentiment among parents and politicians that mobile devices should be banned from the classroom (Ledsom, 2019). This is a dangerous trend that can only be calmed by researchers and educators writing on how to maximize the educational benefits of mobile games. See The Experts page for references.