It's all so simple, really. Just kill all the aliens, destroy their nuclear reactor and save the planet from global warming. Why didn't we think of this before.
NEW YORK, April 5 (Reuters) – Two university professors have combined their knowledge of science and videogames to create a game that helps students learn chemistry.
Instead of using books, beakers and test tubes, students battle aliens and other mysterious forces that are trying to destroy the earth by increasing global warming.
"Using gaming technology to supplement science instruction involves a different level of interactivity for students," said Carlos Morales, an associate professor of computer graphics technology at Purdue University in Indiana.
"Listening to lectures and taking tests is not authentic to the real world and the way we learn concepts," he added in a statement.
Oh, wait. Somebody already did think of the aliens, didn't they? Never mind. Actually, the idea of using video games for instructional purposes is neither new nor without some merit. Many kids these days are oriented toward them and if the game also teaches, it can be useful in making the student retain what they have learned. This one sounds like it could be fun while teaching, too:
With help from students in Morales' computer graphics technology game and simulation development class they devised the game in which the main character travels through seven rooms to battle the evil forces trying to destroy the planet.
In each room there is a chemistry-based challenge that the student must perform to go to the next level. If all the challenges are met a nuclear reactor is blown up and the planet is saved.
Morales once worked as a game developer for the Xbox.
