Edutainment

Edutainment is a combination of education and entertainment. The term is used to refer to educational video games. These games can be designed to address specific learning outcomes. One example for this kind of games is the website from the Nobel Prize Foundation. I came across this website and had a look. You can learn about the fundamental discoveries of the Nobel Prize Winners through gaming. The web offers you thousands of other possible games in almost every field that belongs to educational games. Politics is also a very interesting field for gaming. I learned about different ways in which these games are constructed. For example, you can either decided about the day-to-day business of a country or plan an election campaign.
I read on wikipedia that simulation and adventures games such as Sim City or Roller Coaster Tycoon also count as educational games. That made me smile on the one hand, one the other hand I would have never considered these games as being eduational games. Roller Coaster Tycoon was my favourite game when I was 13 years old. In some really rare moments, I still play that game. The goal of the game is to build a theme park. You need to achieve a certain number of visitors and reputation. You do that by building new roller coasters and a beautiful landscape which surrounds them. On wikipedia it says that these games "develop children's strategic thinking and planning skills".

In addition to video games, board games and card games also belong to the category of educational games.
Board games are frequently used to teach something about geography. Here the board is used to tell you something about the region.
Card games are used for various subjects. Children can learn mathematics or biology for example.

I think with regard to the games mentioned, especially Sim City and Roller Coaster Tycoon the term Edutainment fits very well. I also think that for most kids "edutainment" is more or less the best way to teach them things.

(Anna)