Games and Education Scholar James Paul Gee on Video Games, Learning, and Literacy

James Paul Gee is an expert on how video games fit within an overall theory of learning and literacy. He is the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, Division of Curriculum and Instruction, at the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education at Arizona State University. He is also a faculty affiliate of the Games, Learning, and Society group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a member of the National Academy of Education.

"What is a video game?" Gee asks. "It's just a set of problems; it could be anything. Doesn't matter what the problems are. All a video game is, is a set of problems that you must solve in order to win." (0:02)

"What I'm pushing is really not digital media," James clarifies. "It's what I call 'situated and embodied learning.' And what I mean by that is being able to solve problems with what you know, not just know a bunch of inert facts. But be able to use facts and information as tools for problem solving in specific contexts." (3:26)

Learn more about James Paul Gee on his personal website at http://jamespaulgee.com.

• Category

  Education

[Brill Pappin]

Wow, I'm blown away with the eloquence and simply logic of the argument.

I think I need to do some more research ;)

[isthattrue212]

Language, writing and basic math are just mental technologies. We have digital technologies now with videos, games and immediate feedback. Our educational system will eventually shed all that old technology and upgrade to the gaming environment. I never considered the fact that corporations are competing with Universities, for profit, to develop effective teaching technology. Great concept. I do disagree though, that an adult would find Civilization hard to learn. The first Civ is easy.

[carotha64]

Yes, that book changed the way I look at teaching and learning!

[micheals1992]

Kerbal Space Program is an amazing educational tool for math and orbital mechanics

[Derek McDow]

I'm a moderate gamer, 29 and tried playing CIV 4 last year; I still haven't played more than 8 hours. IT IS BANANAS!

[baskyn544]

I like this guy.

[trueorbetter]

I'm a Civilization addict, and a fan of Jim Gee's. I'm thrilled to see the two of them come together. And Gee's right on, no doubt. I believe he's got a good grasp on the past, and a good vision of the future.

[legostiodeos5]

I'll be amazed if this will become everyday learning.

[Peter Burrows]

smart guy.

[Douglas Graham]

"Most adults would give up after 20 min." Yup... and we all know why.

[JAPLib]

I'm encouraged that he thinks the pressure from situated learning models "will bring about real change" for our tradition-bound, test-crazy education system.