CARS Model for Core 4

Move 1: Establishing a Territory

The importance of digital-game based learning is to provide children and students with new and improved methods of learning. Using computer games as well as online gaming allow for students to easily learn basic literacy skills. Computer games assist children in being able to learn and use information that is relevant to a virtual world. Because they can learn, practice, and apply material and information all at the same time through online games, digital-game based learning allows students to retain information more easily.

Move 2: Establishing a Niche

My particular area of study involves why and how digital-game based learning is effective. Many parents and teachers or today’s generation don’t seem to realize that computer games can be used for more than just a means of entertainment. Just because a game is fun does not necessarily mean one cannot gain any knowledge by playing it. This gap between both parents/teachers and students/advocates for digital-game based learning occurs because today’s parents and teachers did not grow up in an environment where technology was so prominent. However, just because our parents don’t fully understand the capabilities of a computer does not mean that we should have to sit through multiple lectures when computer games could take the place of some classroom instruction.

Move 3: Occupying a Niche

The purpose of this essay is to argue for the use of digital game-based learning among the current generation of students. Through research, I have discovered that computer games not only provide a more modern teaching style, but they also allow students to engage and interact with the techniques and instructions they have just learned. This method of being able to learn, practice, and apply skills is known as cognitive learning. The structure of my essay will start with an introduction that states me research question, some background information related to digital game-based learning, as well as, why this topic is important to me. For the body of my argument, I will discuss the research that I found about why digital game-based learning is an effective teaching method. I will use the military and cognitive learning as examples to support my claim that computer games should be used to help educate students. I also intend on adding in a few counter arguments into my argument as well. In my conclusion, I will persuade the reader to view the use of computer games as part of a much needed addition to the educational process.