Learning to Play, Playing to Learn
Quote: "I began to do some research on game-based learning and found some pretty compelling reasons for using computer or online games in education: engagement through fantasy, challenge, curiosity and discovery. These are the very elements that make them entertaining. They are enormously interactive and can be very challenging. One can play with someone in the same room or across the globe. They challenge players to create, plan, strategize and solve problems."
Comment: Game-based learning holds great promise as a means of creating engaged, interactive learning environments. Unfortunately, the promise is still more talk than action...except in a few isolated pockets of activity. Main reason is the time and expense. On the continuum of elearning development, game-based learning is definitely on the advanced/complex/expensive side.
This issue of Sidebars has great links and resources related to games.