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How can games and simulations reward the brain? Also, how can a game or simulation provoke positive emotions?
Yes, a game can provoke positive emotions through providing reward/points for demonstrating learning or success in a simulation. In gaming this feeling can become addictive.
Games provide a method of delivering immediate rewards and alternate opportunities to try to achieve a result. It is a way for students to utilize the various options games have inherently built in to proceed at the pace right for them and utilizing the method right for them. It is less threatening at times than face to face class environments. Also, the achievement and encouragement is something the we like and it generates positive emotions relative to the students performance.
Hello Ron,
You present an interesting report on the aspect of the "freemium" games. The withholding of rewards creates a frustration that can only be solved by a purchase. Depending on the level of the gamer's interest, the purchase would stimulate the brain as much as impulse buying and shopping does for some people. Good point. Thank you for presenting your comment. I was not aware of these games.
Best wishes,
Phyllis Gooden
The use of games and simulations can produce instant rewards and feedback as opposed to students waiting in anticipation for a teacher to grade papers and provide feedback. The game or simulation can also stimulate the brain in terms of helping to build confidence by allowing students to replay events or simulations until they achieve mastery. This can be a great emotional break through, especially for students that have struggled before in understanding key concepts.
Simulation and gamming can also stimulate the brain, visually and scaffold learned information for future use in applying the knowledge to different real life scenarios. The virtual rewards and the aspect of receiving immediate satisfaction in completing a task, mission, goal or learning key concepts can be great stimulators to the brain and emotions.
Dr. Phyllis Gooden
The brain is stimulated when problems are presented that Need to be solved. The reward comes as sense of relief and a confidence boost when the problem is solved correctly. Games or simulations present problems that need to be solved and as the student solves them and experiences the "reward" mentioned above they become more confident and hunger for the next challenge.
Ron,
Excellent point. The "freemium" games also have an adverse effect on motivation. It causes the learner to mistrust the purpose of the game and many learners will withdraw.
Dr. Karen Drage
A lot of money is being made using this concept right now in "freemium" games. Games are offered for free but the progress is purposely restricted. The only way to speed it up is to purchase credits from the game provider. It is interesting because it isn't only providing a reward, it is withholding that reward.