SASKATCHEWAN POLYTECHNIC
Video games for learning: Sask Polytech instructors engage with a new tool in the classroom

From future commercial pilots to healthcare workers, Saskatchewan Polytechnic students are accessing video games to learn in a new way.

Justin Matheson, Learning Technology trainer, has worked with faculty to integrate game-based learning into eight Sask Polytech programs so far. Video games are selected by working closely with instructors to create lesson plans tailored to learning outcomes, engaging with students in innovative teaching methods.

"I see video games as a tool to create situations to introduce students to a skill or to practice skills they are looking to develop," he says. 

The first program to integrate game-based learning in the classroom was the Commercial Pilot program. Instructor Reed Willison collaborated with Matheson. 

"Justin has a passion for game-based learning. Through regular visits he had with us we were able to bounce ideas off each other to see which course would be the best fit. Crew resource management stood out because it's front of mind for pilots because communication is vital to ensure safety," he says. 

The game Portal 2 was selected to encourage students to build on skills they need in the workplace by completing challenges. The popular game was a natural choice to Matheson, as someone who has played video games his whole life. 

"Communication-heavy activities are really great for developing those skillsets. Portal 2's puzzles allowed students to practice their procedures and since the game is broken into levels, students were able to pause and reflect frequently. This ensured students could fix any mistakes they were making as they played," he said. 

Adds Willison, "Students realize there's a process in place for solving challenges and problems and accomplishing goals in a pilot's daily activities. They learn to rely on checklists and standard operating procedures. We want them to engage with this lesson in a fun way and build on their experience."

Interest in game-based learning is starting to build with both students and instructors across different programs. As each program has its own learning outcomes to focus on, adapting is necessary. Ethical decision-making in medical licensing for the Medical Laboratory Technology program was challenging because Learning Technology had a single license for the video game Detroit: Become Human. In working with the program, Matheson came up with the solution to stream the game from the SPARK Lab to the classroom, allowing students to work their way through moral and ethical dilemmas.  

"This is still a novel approach that comes from my experience in education and gaming. Since technology is evolving so quickly, the ability to adapt and learn is increasingly valuable. This is exactly what games teach when we use them as tools in the classroom," he says.

Matheson continues to develop game-based learning for new programs as they reach out. He is currently working on projects for the Geographic Information Science program and Early Childhood Education program.

Learn more about working with Learning Technology trainers at Sask Polytech.