Pilot Program Incorporates Video Games into Classroom Learning
By Leila Meyer03/13/12
Teachers in seven school districts the United States are taking part in a pilot program that uses Microsoft's Kinect for Xbox 360 to teach math, language arts, history, geography, science, and physical education, and also to help special needs students.
Kinect for Xbox 360 is a controller-free method of playing video games on an Xbox 360 console using the full body. To kick a ball in a game, players kick their leg. To jump in a game, players jump.
Microsoft has assembled a library of 200 ready-to-use classroom activities there were designed by pedagogy experts and align with Common Core State Standards. The activities are based around a small number of Xbox 360 games, such as Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports, National Geographic Challenge, and Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster. Teachers can browse through the activity library on the Kinect in the classroom site to identify activities by subject area, age range, and associated Kinect for Xbox 360 game.
