At this week’s Games for Change festival in New York City, Valve has announced they are currently working on a new version of their Steam gaming network for schools, aptly called “Steam For Schools”.
Valve has recently begun collaborating with educators to develop game-related teaching tools that revolve around STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
Introducing Steam For Schools
The new Steam For Schools, Valve’s latest edutainment project, will provide a “limited version of Steam” featuring a Portal 2 game’s level editor for students and teachers to be able to create physics-based levels within the game. This initiative aims to harness the engaging nature of video games to foster an interactive learning environment. By integrating game mechanics with educational content, Valve hopes to make learning more appealing and effective for students.
Valve will also provide its workshop for hosting and organizing user-created levels, so that they can be tried and tested by users. This feature will enable students to share their creations with peers, encouraging collaboration and feedback. Valve’s Leslie Redd explains:
“We have a limited version of Steam, which is called ‘Steam for Schools.’ And what we’re doing is asking for teachers, after school programs, organizations – anywhere where there’s a student relationship, which includes homeschooling – for them to submit a form to be part of it. It’s still in beta,”
Educational Benefits and Potential
The educational potential of Steam For Schools is vast. By using the Portal 2 level editor, students can learn about physics, problem-solving, and critical thinking in a hands-on manner. For example, creating a level that requires understanding the principles of gravity and momentum can help students grasp these concepts more concretely than traditional classroom methods.
Moreover, the collaborative aspect of the workshop allows students to work together on projects, fostering teamwork and communication skills. Teachers can also use these tools to create custom lessons tailored to their curriculum, making it easier to integrate game-based learning into their teaching strategies.
Valve’s initiative is part of a broader trend of incorporating technology and interactive media into education. Studies have shown that game-based learning can improve student engagement and retention of information. By making learning fun and interactive, students are more likely to develop a genuine interest in the subject matter.
For more information visit, Valve’s “Teach with Portals” website.
Source: Joystiq
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