Our Princess Is in Another Castle: A Review of Trends in Serious Gaming for Education
Source: Review of Educational Research, 82(1), March 2012, p. 61-89.
In this review of literature, the authors identified over 300 articles whose descriptions related to video games and academic achievement.
They found some evidence for the effects of video games on language learning, history, and physical education (specifically exergames), but little support for the academic value of video games in science and math.
The authors summarize the trends for each subject area.
Many educationally interesting games exist, yet evidence for their impact on student achievement is slim.
They recommend separating simulations from games and refocusing the question onto the situated nature of game-player-context interactions, including meta-game social collaborative elements.