Microsoft Invests In Games For Learning Institute

22 Feb 2009 at 13:27:16 by

The Microsoft Corporation has pledged to invest $1.5 million USD into a gaming initiative designed to help stimulate children’s educational abilities and develop “higher-order cognitive capability.”

According to MSNBC (via the Associated Press), Microsoft’s head of gaming research, John Nordlinger, is interested in finding out “what’s compelling about the games.”

"If we can find out how to make the games fun and not make them so violent, that would be ideal."

The $1.5 million USD will help The Games for Learning Institute research whether videogames can help people with mathematics and science, as well as enhancing the educational experience.

Even games such as shooters encourage micro-management, drawing the player's attention to how many resources, bullets and weapons they have, and how best to utilise their resources.

The institute is a joint venture with New York University and other colleges and was started by English teacher Chuck Lang who is keen for the research to show that the games for learning can help students with their studies.

Comment