Making educational computer games "educational"

Educational computer games provide an appealing context for engaging children in activities that deliver substantive educational content and customized feedback. However, creators of such games can only take full advantage of the power of the medium if the educational content is integrated effectively into the structure of the game. Drawing upon experiences in the creation of numerous real-life games and applications, this paper describes some of the considerations that must be taken into account in creating effective interactive games. These include: matching particular educational topics or concepts to their most appropriate media; placing educational content at the heart of game play so that children engage in the targeted real-world behavior or thinking as they play the game; and building feedback and hint structures in ways that support and scaffold children into challenging content.