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Video games can have a positive impact on children—if designed with the right features, says new study

Recent research from UNICEF Innocenti, in collaboration with New York University and others, highlights that video games tailored to children's needs can significantly enhance their well-being. The Responsible Innovation in Technology for Children (RITEC) project emphasizes that digital gaming can foster autonomy, competence, creativity, and identity in children when aligned with their interests and desires.

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How playing a game can help spread awareness of dementia inequalities

Dr. Clarissa Giebel from NIHR ARC North West Coast addresses the barriers to dementia treatment with a board game aimed at raising awareness. Over a million people in the UK live with dementia, supported by over 700,000 unpaid carers, yet access to diagnosis and care is hindered by various factors including geographic location, socio-economic status, and system-level issues.

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Thinking in Pixels: Developing Leadership Skills from Video Games

Video games, evolving from classics like 'Pong' and 'Space Invaders', offer more than mere entertainment; they cultivate critical skills essential for leadership. Games like 'Fallout', 'Tetris', 'World of Warcraft', and 'Civilization' immerse players in complex scenarios demanding strategic planning, adaptability, and teamwork — skills vital in both gaming and real-world leadership. Integrating video games into training enhances communication through multiplayer interactions and refines strategic decision-making in risk-free environments.

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The «Immune Patrol» program to inform children about vaccination will be introduced in schools in Turkmenistan

Employees from the World Health Organization's Country Office introduced the initial version of the educational gaming module "Immune Patrol" in Turkmen language to Turkmenistan's Ministries of Health and Education. Following consultations with experts, plans were outlined to create a roadmap for piloting the game in secondary schools across the country.

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Miami-Dade to Test Impact of Gamification on Science Scores

The U.S. Department of Education is funding a five-year, nearly $8 million study in South Florida to evaluate the impact of gamification on fifth grade science scores. Partnering with Legends of Learning and WestEd, Impact Florida aims to assess game-based science instruction's effectiveness in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

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World-Competitive Escape Rooms Are Darker, Scarier, and More Scientific

Scott Nicholson, a game design professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, expertly navigates through an intense escape room scenario in a sinking submarine. His quick thinking and puzzle-solving skills halt the flooding, saving his crew and securing victory. Nicholson, a prominent figure in escape room design and theory, emphasizes the importance of "hero moments" in these immersive games.

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New book from UW–Madison’s Berland shows how education data could promote social justice and classroom creativity

Matthew Berland and Antero Garcia's new book, "The Left Hand of Data," explores leveraging education data to revolutionize classroom dynamics with creativity and social justice. Published by The MIT Press, Berland emphasizes reshaping educational approaches to prioritize individual student needs, emphasizing playful, engaging learning experiences.

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Climate Change Has Infiltrated Game Night—and That’s a Good Thing, Experts Say

In April, Minecraft introduced "Heat Wave Survival," a minigame challenging players to defeat a fire-breathing Heat Dragon symbolizing extreme heat's threat amid rising global temperatures. This exemplifies a trend where game developers incorporate climate change themes into entertainment. Initiatives like the nonprofit-led development of games promoting renewable energy and heat-resilient infrastructure aim to educate youth on climate issues.

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Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!

The article discusses the growing challenge of discerning truth from fiction in an era dominated by digital manipulation and misinformation. It highlights a study on the effectiveness of the video game 'Bad News' in teaching media literacy. Designed to simulate the role of a fake news producer, the game educates players on recognizing and resisting deceptive tactics.

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Building a Learning Game Around a Model or Framework: How Models and Frameworks Can Inspire Learning Games

In his article, Terry Pearce discusses how models and frameworks can serve as inspiration for learning games, emphasizing their potential to simulate complex concepts and processes. Pearce illustrates this with a game he developed around the 'Nine Box Grid' for Talent Management, where players utilize character cards representing team members to navigate challenges and opportunities based on the grid's categorizations.

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