Article,
Children’s narrative development through computer game authoring
TechTrends, 49 (5): 43-59 (2005)
Abstract
Recent research into the educational applications of
computer games has focused on the skills which children
can develop while playing games. Various benefits of
computer game playing have been recorded, such as
increased motivation; development of problem solving
and discussion skills; and improvement in aspects of
story writing. While encouraging children to play
appropriately designed computer games can be used to
enhance their learning, enabling children to create their
own computer games offers a further range of learning
opportunities. This paper describes a workshop in which
young people learned how to create their own computer
role- play games for their friends and family to play. The
purpose of the workshop was to give the young people an
opportunity to tell stories in the medium of a computer
game, and to develop narrative skills such as character
creation, plot planning and interactive dialogue writing.
Results from this study are used to illustrate the
educational benefits of computer games authoring, and to
ssuggest directions for future research in this area.
