EXPLORING THE SYNERGY BETWEEN VIDEO GAMES AND EDUCATION (3/3)

Surprisingly, and likely fueled by the wave of paranoia about new technology, these two spheres, instead of recognizing each other as siblings that could have grown up alongside each other, continued to drift apart, secretly jealous of one another... But couldn’t video games become a part of the educational system, once the latter realizes it has so much to gain from them? Wouldn’t video games provide a powerful tool for channeling and holding the attention of children who often have trouble concentrating in class? What are video games if not one of the best ways to apply the current educational approach of active learning? Trying to make content more fun is the logical next step in this approach.  

Let’s stop pitting both of these against each other and stigmatizing them for their respective shortcomings! Instead, let’s try to focus on the ways they can be complementary to each other, to understand how these two worlds can come together, learn from each other, and ultimately combine for the greatest benefit of our children. With PowerZ, we firmly believe that gaming and education mutually reinforce one another. Find out how through this 3-part dossier.  

Video games and education are complementary because, despite the immersive nature of video games, they fall short in encouraging children to step away from the digital realm and share real-world experiences. This limitation, despite upholding values of togetherness within the gaming environment, underscores the need for a solution that bridges the gap between virtual and real-life interactions. Schools, on the other hand, excel in fostering daily connections among children in physical spaces, providing a unique strength in facilitating offline interactions. This contrast highlights the untapped potential of combining the engaging aspects of video games with the tangible, real-world experiences cultivated in traditional educational settings.

PowerZ wants to work alongside schools, museums, theaters, cinemas and all places of culture and activity that help our children (...) connect with the real world.”

PowerZ is committed to ensuring that video games don't become an end in themselves. Paradoxically, we seek collaboration with schools, museums, theaters, cinemas, and various cultural spaces to engage children with the real world. Our goal is to inspire a love for reading, promote a healthy diet, encourage everyday sports activities, foster a mindful and intelligent stance in facing societal challenges, and prompt children to ponder life's big questions through their gaming experience. Rather than being an addictive drug, games should serve as a hub connecting the gaming platform to the world around them.

In short, there are various ways to reduce our screen time, including leveraging educational gaming like PowerZ. We aim to integrate the game's progression and reward system to motivate kids to complete real-life activities as part of their quest. This could involve tasks such as reading a book or baking a chocolate cake. While games offer endless possibilities, in reality, children require a connection beyond the digital realm.

To empower teachers in using PowerZ as an educational tool, we're developing an interface for monitoring student-players in classrooms. Our primary focus is on designing a video game and an educational system for home learning sessions, aiming to complement and enhance the learning experience at school. The development process involves collaboration with teachers, emphasizing the relevance and applicability of PowerZ in an educational setting.