EdBizWatch

A Video Game as a Tool for Teaching Critical Thinking Skills

Critics praises “Gone Home” as a new way of storytelling; it’s making its way into classrooms.

A Video Game as a Tool for Teaching Critical Thinking Skills, M. Farber, Mind/Shift

Kiko Labs Debuts A Series Of “Brain-Training” Games For Kids

Co funding from co.lab, 500 startups and Guitar Hero co-founder Kai Huang.

Kiko Labs Debuts A Series Of “Brain-Training” Games For Kids, Sarah Perez, TechCrunch

Can Real Education be Taught Through Children’s Games?

Current results from New York City middle school Quest to Learn.

Can Real Education be Taught Through Children’s Games? M. Talbot, Hechinger Report

Beyond Standardized Tests

What are the existing tools to measure student progress?

Beyond Standardized Tests, Anya Kamentez, Mind/Shift

Vocab Apps For Kids Promotes Anytime, Anywhere Learning

Sesame Workshop builds on the popularity of characters like Big Bird and 45 yrs of edu research. 

Vocab Tech For Toddlers Encourages 'Anytime, Anywhere Learning', Lynn Neary, nprEd

Data-Driven Parenting App Gives Personalized Tips for Kids

App offers backseat games & dinner table topics to reinforce skills learned in Leo’s Pad app. 

Data-Driven Parenting App Gives Personalized Tips for Kids, Kyle Vanhemert, Wired

MindShift Guide to Digital Games and Learning

Guide explains key ideas in game-based learning, pedagogy, implementation, assessment.

MindShift Guide to Digital Games and Learning, Ki Sung, Mind/Shift 

Fast-Paced Video Games Improve Learning Ability

Action games such as Call of Duty increase our ability to quickly learn new motor skills

Fast-Paced Video Games Improve Learning Ability, Study Shows, Keith Perry, Telegraph

An App to Make Career Counseling More Like a Video Game

Jobville makes filling out an online résumé more like a video game than paperwork.

App Makes Career Counseling More Like a Video Game, R. Koenig, The Chronicle

LeapFrog Debuts Its LeapTV Educational Console for Kids

Can LeapFrog carve out a market for smaller kids who enjoy edu entertainment.

LeapFrog Debuts Its LeapTV Educational Console for Kids, Dean Takahashi, VentureBeat

Neuroscientists Object to Claims of Brain Training Industry

Scientific literature does not support claims that “brain games” improve general cognitive performance in everyday life, or prevent cognitive slowing and brain disease. 

Neuroscientists Object to Claims of Brain Training Industry, Stanford Center on Longevity

SkillPixels Picks Up $2.1 Million in Funding from Tekes

Finnish company's first title is SmartKid, an iOS game that teach math for PreK-2nd grade.

SkillPixels picks up $2.1 Million in Funding from Tekes, G. Anderson, Arctic Startup

‘Gamification’ Is Dead, Long Live Games For Learning

This frustrating craze led to a proliferation of interactive drill games. 

‘Gamification’ Is Dead, Long Live Games For Learning, Michael John, TechCrunch

A State of the Learning Games Industry Report

Developers face many paths, even more questions about monetization.

A State of the Learning Games Industry Report, Lee Banville, Game and Learning

How Game Developers Choose Between Consumer, K-12 Markets

A creative process is critical to making an actual game, not flashcards or quizes.

How Game Developers Choose Between Consumer, K-12 Markets. L. Banville, eSurge

Minecraft’s Creator, the Ambivalent Billionaire

"I’m not an entrepreneur. I’m not a C.E.O. I’m a nerdy computer programmer...”

Minecraft’s Creator, the Ambivalent Billionaire, Nick Wingfield, New York Times

Minecraft Maker Mojang Bought For $2.5 Billion by Microsoft

“Yes, the deal is real. Mojang is being bought by Microsoft. Everything is going to be OK.″

Minecraft Maker Mojang Bought For $2.5 Billion by Microsoft, Samantha Sharf, Forbes

Video Game Teaches Kids How to Code

UCSD Kickstarted new version of CodeSpells, a 1st-person player that teaches how to code.

Video Game Teaches Kids How to Code, Eureaklert

Surprising Benefit of Common Core: Really Cool Video Games

Can new learning tools get World of Warcraft fans into math? Ed tech companies bank on it.

Surprising Benefit of Common Core: Really Cool Video Games, B. Winterhalter,The Atlantic

Amplify Launches Consumer Learning Game 'Twelve A Dozen'

Co commissioned 30+ games from the best commercial game designers in the world.

Amplify Launches Consumer Learning Game, Lee Banville, Games and Learning