Games, Simulations, and Virtual Environments for Learning

            Anatomy Arcade is a gaming site that, “Makes anatomy come alive through awesome free flash games and interactive videos” (Anatomy Arcade, 2008).  You can access the site at:

http://www.anatomyarcade.com/index.html

When you access this site the first thing you will notice is in the left hand column a section titled Games by the Body System.  When you click on a system, for example, Skeletal, another menu will appear giving you options of games to play under that system.  There are interactive games like Whack-A-Bone, Match-A Bone, Major bones Crossword, Skeletal System Word Search, and Skeletal Jigsaw.  Also there are instructional videos under each system for students to view.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHiCh0lygE8&feature=share&list=PLF3DF6413D621097B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLT6oZM7Wrk&feature=share&list=PL6EE8FFBCBDB51F83

            This site is great for interactive gaming for students to have a “Hands on” learning experience.  This is a free site that can be accessed while in the classroom, or on the bus to and from class.  I find this site to be very helpful and plan on adding it to my syllabus as a learning tool along with our Moodle page.  Kurt Squire states, “Game-based learning environments might empower teachers to act as coaches, advisors, and producers rather than content dispensers and police officers.  Once kids are interested in learning and engaged in focused work, teachers’ work becomes much easier and they become resources, rather than obstacles” (Squire, 2011, Pg. 59).  Not only does this site full of games empower teachers, it can empower students as well.  After spending time on the site, students will want to return and learn more as we study each system throughout the body.  I love this site and the games it contains, and can’t wait to introduce it to my students.

A second game I like to use for my students is Speed anatomy.  It is now found on Facebook which ties in with our previous assignments regarding social media in the classroom.  You can link up here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speed-Anatomy/107241489347721.  It is also an app for iPhones and Android smartphones.  It can be downloaded by iPads and other tablets as well. By having this app, students can practice anatomy anywhere and at any time.  I like this app, and have included it on my syllabi for my Anatomy and Physiology classes.  You can also use the following site to download Speed Anatomy to your tablet or smartphone: http://appxk.com/apps/1063.html.  

I enjoyed learning about how games can influence my students beyond the gaming console.  Although PlayStation three and Xbox have internet connections and person to person instant virtual gaming, the website and app I showed above allows students to broaden their horizons and take the games with them via smartphones or tablets.  I plan on using both of the games I presented and hope anyone who is an anatomy instructor will as well.

References

Squire, K. (2011). Video games and learning. (1st ed., p. 59). New York, New York: Teachers College Press.

Anatomy arcade. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.anatomyarcade.com/index.html