Games can be a huge boon in the classroom—or not. It’s not always easy for teachers to find good games. Even if a game is a good learning tool, teachers may need help and training to deploy the game in the classroom. Today the Extra Credits website announced the official launch of their new curation channel, Extra Credits EDU, on Steam. The channel’s aim is to help teachers unlock the huge educational potential of games in the classroom. (The channel has been in beta testing for a while.)
Extra Credits EDU is a database of both commercial games and educational games. Teachers can go to a game’s page and find a game trailer, along with advice about how to use the game for teaching and learning. As an example, a page for one of our favorite educational games, The Counting Kingdom, includes a ton of helpful information. There are links to reviews (including Pixelkin’s); a list of languages the game is available in; links to the game’s website, discussions, and news; system requirements; and helpful customer reviews.
The Counting Kingdom page.
Not all the game pages have a lot of information for teachers yet. But plans are in the works to add to the list and the information about each game. “Experienced educators are invited to improve the list by reaching out to tobias@extra-credits.net with their suggestions,” says Soraya Een Hajji of Extra Credits. “Together, we can continue to grow this free resource and help teachers connect with their students through games!”
The list of games on the Extra Credits EDU channel was “created in partnership with teachers from Nordahl Greig High School in Norway.” Some game developers are pitching in as well by giving teachers who use the channel free video game licenses. These developers include Slitherine (Commander: Europe at War and To End All Wars), 11 Bit Studios (This War of Mine), and Little Worlds Interactive (The Counting Kingdom).
Extra Credits has a weekly video series with half a million subscribers on YouTube. It provides “an insider’s perspective and advice on issues of game design in order to educate players and promote innovation from the games industry.”
You can also check out Pixelkin’s Steam Curation page right here to see a list of some of our favorite games.
