How Video Games Can Level Up the Way You Learn | Kris Alexander | TED

Video games naturally tap into the way we learn: they focus our attention and track our progress as we head toward a clear goal. Kris Alexander, a professor of video game design and passionate gamer himself, thinks the same elements should be used in traditional education to cater to different learning styles and engage students across the world, both in-person and online.
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• How Video Games Can Le...
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[@KnightSlasher]

Finally it is about time they let a true man of culture on the stage of ted talks

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you. It takes one to know one.

[@iche9373]

Get this man a shield

[@nursultannazarov8379]

@@austindenotter19 You are not one clearly

[@Rio-zh2wb]

true

[@michaelm8044]

This man is a genius. I played World of Warcraft at a top 10 worldwide level for years and years and even got paid to play in tournaments. I never graduated college, but the skills that I gained throughout my professional gaming career along with my self taught skills have led me to a successful career in web development and content/media creation for some of the largest companies on the planet - and I never would have gotten here without video games. I just wish there was a way to trick our bland education system and boring teaching styles into taking key learning components and focus concepts from video games and instilling them into public education.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Incredible story, and thank you for sharing. These are the types of stories more folks need to hear about. As long as we have things to compare, like Twitch streamers and KZbinrs, it will be difficult to pretend as if high quality instruction is impossible.

[@davidrossi5096]

I get what he means as a way to focus but for me my lifelong pursuit of knowledge and learning began at 5yo when I was introduced to games like Pharaoh or Age of Empires. My grandfather was a classically educated man and when I was little and spending 5-6 hours straight on the computer he was naturally concerned, he didn’t tell me to get off though instead he was curious and asked what I was doing. I replied with, “I’m playing a campaign as El Cid right now, he was the champion of Castile until the kings brother usurped the crown and exiled him, now he’s traveling around Spain fighting for both Spaniards and Moors while trying to be a chivalrous and just knight.” My gramps was blown away and wanted to know more and so I showed him the Crusades campaign, the one for Genghis Khan, Joan of Arc, etc. and he absolutely loved it. My vocabulary improved well beyond my grade, I was reading all of the historical narrative and dialogue, I was learning strategy and tactics, and falling in love with military history. 20+ years later I’m a history major still :)

[@vonb2792]

Same story with the same Games. Pharoah might get an revamp in 2023

[@craigjoe8691]

This is the same copy pasta from like 10 years ago 😂

[@Reimu98]

Had this guy as a prof in college, absolutely amazing person glad to see this :D

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thanks Reimu. So great to see that you enjoyed.

[@NormStorm]

The coolest guy!

[@Joy-qu7iz]

@@VideoGamesProf Are you on Instagram or Threads?

[@manuelapena2372]

One of the best talks I've seen on here. What an incredible person to speak about this topic.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly. What an incredible person to reply to this video - you.

[@Naruto0s44]

Because of video games I learned about budgeting, personal growth and story telling in fictional literature

[@w0mblemania]

Because of video games I learned about vertical sync, antialiasing, Steam Sales and rage quitting.

[@dr3n5k1]

Which game taught you those things?

[@w0mblemania]

@@dr3n5k1 Lawnmower Simulator.

[@Naruto0s44]

Wwe sd vs raw 06 ( gm mode you had to budget your wrestlers revenue and manage the money they Make from wrestling and compete again a ai or your friend from a rival show, God of war/ resident evil series story telling because it told stories from different naratives

[@LucasSouza-xl6lq]

i'm a brazilian student and i practice my english with some ted talks, currently i've been study to 3 week now. I am impressed with the good didactics that the speaker had during the video, where even I, who do not speak English fluently, managed to understand everything

[@ARSNLYT]

As a competitive player in esport I always saw gamifying things in my life made it easier to advance it’s so helpful and I hope education and Careers really understand this concept because my generation and future generation will appreciate it

[@iche9373]

So you think that Gamification would be a wonder weapon? That sounds too good to be true..

[@ARSNLYT]

@@iche9373 let me break it down a lil bit so even when I work out or anything that you can improve or advance you make it a game!! it has helped me a lot

[@zodayn4767]

I listened to podcasts, including the RED Radio Hour, while picking tomatoes. And I had a much easier time concentrating on those TED Talks than in class where I couldn't pick tomatoes in the mean time.

[@chelseasionni5452]

I could listen to this man talk all day. The most engaging TED Talk I have ever watched.

[@AmyFerguson]

My main takeaway is teaching and learning should be multifaceted. (In my opinion starting in kindergarten not just college) The more interesting and engaging connections you have with life the better. Do not wall things off.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Agreed wholeheartedly. The conversation surrounding implementation needs to also include who actually wants to do the work to incorporate the critical components of engagement in video games. That is one way we can create more connections.

[@nickeimorty487]

Zelda Minish Cap? Sir you got an instant like

[@dimitrijesvilarkovic2542]

Truly fantastic content, this made me realize how much I have learned over the years just from playing video games... I've been learning history, strategic reasoning, management skills and all that while enjoying my time playing some of my favorite games. Thanks for a great talk, and to mention the ending which really caught me laughing! Wow, what a speaker this man is :)

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly.

[@pixelsandprogress]

I'm so happy that i have found this video. I am hoping to start making videos that outline both the pros and cons of gaming in education and more. Now I'm definitely motivated to carry it out 😊

[@AbsterTheWise]

Amazing! Great discussion

[@Joshua-ef2fz]

Great post and right on point. Loved the use of "line-of-sight (LOS)". True gaming lingo. Kudos.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Brilliant sighting. There are quite a few other Easter Eggs in the talk, specifically for the community. Great work. You're a real one.

[@cjplay2]

A: Thank you. Gotta say that up front. B: it has been awhile since Ted has given me a truly new concept to think about. C: This video explains why I drop into video games for 5-10 mins while working to keep my mind sharp. With ADHD and a joy of playing games with no sound while watching TV, I say this concept from this talk once again defines how our education system must adapt to the player (learner) in the game of life! Not the learner in the game of education.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you. Great insight.

[@justvirtualpodcast]

Blown away! This is one of the best Ted Talks I've seen in years. It's engaging, funny, and incredibly well researched. Dr. Kris is a master presenter and a credit to both the education and gaming community.

[@Combsstudio]

It’s awesome you were featured. Also, it’s even more impressive that you were featured on such a good topic. I do the learning similarly but with art. Anytime I’m in a meeting, church, or some other learning setting I am drawing. In fact most of my drawing time is in these settings.

[@KorokuGaming]

This talk made me realise that eventually succumbing to teachers demands that I 'stop doodling' during lessons, may have been a large reason for my falling grades in later years of high school. There was definitely something about doodling & listening for me that increased my ability to retain the lesson. I used to be very stubborn and say 'It helps me learn' or 'I am listening'. I even had my share of moments just like this guy where I'd repeat everything the teacher had said to prove I was listening! I wish I had kept doing it. I also became pretty kickass at drawing due to the habit... Some teachers are miserable people! I'm 30 now and I think I'll trial doodling again to see if it helps me learn from online lessons.

[@VideoGamesProf]

@@KorokuGaming As long as we can have honest discussions about whether teaching can benefit from positive transformation, things will be okay. Keep drawing, and post the Twitch Stream link if you start getting back into the game.

[@mjk9388]

Highly engaging speaker, excellent content, and great points. Well done.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@Samtana109]

Thank you Kris!!!!

[@eOSdeath]

One of the best Ted talks I’ve ever seen I learn in a similar way

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thanks so much.

[@seandoherty8858]

The concept of streamlining the information taught in schools is very important: some people just have a way of learning that could be engaged more to reap major benefits in the long term (getting information to an audience quickly and efficiently how they best take it in is ideal)!

[@VideoGamesProf]

This is an important discussion to keep in the mainstream, especially after folks had a chance to see the quality of online instruction compared to Twitch streams.

[@lyndsiixo]

Love this talk❤ and Zelda the Minish Cap was my favorite!!!

[@acdnan]

Yo is he using a Steam Controller and a Steam Deck to do his presentation? That's dope

[@VideoGamesProf]

Yes indeed. There are several game-related Easter Eggs embedded in this talk for the community. Let's who else can find the rest. Someone tell Gabe that the Gabe Gear made it on the TED stage.

[@acdnan]

@@VideoGamesProf your talk was great btw.

[@AL2009man]

Sigma Grindset

[@VideoGamesProf]

​@@acdnanThank you.

[@op8ztv]

@@VideoGamesProf dopeeee

[@Sean_Downey]

Love this, thank you!

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you for watching.

[@kaiiso1]

I always believed that video games can have a positive impact on students learning, and I did research about it in my final semester cause I love games and I believed that games can also be used to improve learning.

[@HowYouDoin611]

Great talk! Love to see some well deserved appreciation for this misunderstood medium. Video games are not all just senseless violence and wish fulfillment. There are many which are artistic masterpieces that blend, storytelling, music, graphics, and interactivity in a beautiful and immersing way. You just gotta pick the right ones!

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you, and you are absolutely correct. Masterpieces do exist within the video game space. Masterpieces. As mentioned, you have to pick the correct ones.

[@jtdx_]

What an excellent presenter and a fascinating new perspective on learning.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thanks so much for this. The only thing that matters in the classroom is that the students believe that you want to be there. Once that's established, learning can more easily happen.

[@jeromemwanza7204]

Insightful

[@evanli421]

This is SSR tier ted talk

[@gracielaladogano8751]

Great ! Thank you , Kris!

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you for watching.

[@gracielaladogano8751]

Hello! How can I have an online class with your students?

[@ntwarmachine9093]

The greatest TED presentation I've ever seen.

[@VideoGamesProf]

YO!!! NTWARMACHINE!!!! What's UP!!!? Thanks for watching. So good to see you chime in here.

[@ntwarmachine9093]

@@VideoGamesProf All is well on my end, it's good to hear from you! I'm just finishing up some classes and prepping to come back in the fall semester.

[@arink393]

I hope I can get this professor's class, this is what I need to learn! No more word-for-word boring classes or textbooks or slides. add some components of video games into education! sure!Why not? it's fun, study should not only focus on grades but should focus on the way the students can improve their long-term memory when they need it in the future someday.

[@juliamlodzik5321]

Had the absolute pleasure of being this man's student, and I can confirm that it totally changed how I thought about self-directed learning and how different learning styles can lead to academic success in such a variety of ways.

[@VideoGamesProf]

@@juliamlodzik5321 YO!!!! Thanks for the support. It's so great to see folks that I've taught in the comment section. Thank you for watching.

[@R2robot]

Great talk!

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly.

[@hafizurmahdi5284]

Don't you just love TED talks like this?

[@alim.tv.network]

Best lecture Kris Alexander

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you.

[@Moontherion]

Brilliant.

[@ligiasommers]

Excellent 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🌹✨🙏🏻

[@noah7008]

I was in high school and in science class everything we went over was on this KZbin channel I was watching and let’s just say I didn’t need to pay attention at all in class just watched the videos because they were so interesting channels called “kurzgesagt”

[@ramsarma1102]

Top tier stuff, that's for sure 😎🔥

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly.

[@Dra.Morales]

I loved league of legends reference ♥️

[@reginauzzardi8912]

Well done Dr. Kris! 🎮

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly.

[@rubyrock555]

what an excellent speaker

[@VideoGamesProf]

What an excellent comment. Thank you.

[@gharbisedky]

Quel magnifique orateur

[@VideoGamesProf]

Merci.

[@roe2012]

This person is visioner, in the future of education theres his vision as one of building blocks that form the basis of future education. Interesting.

[@makinley.s]

The funny thing is, I'm playing stardew valley while listening to TED talks about various things. Didn't think I'd get called out within a minute lol!

[@VideoGamesProf]

Totally acceptable. Hahaha. Thanks for watching.

[@invox9490]

Not gonna lie... I listen to a lot of TedTalks while playing videogames.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Let's go. Thanks for adding this one to the rotation.

[@Caseoh_Songs]

Memorizing his whole speech for class presentation is pain

[@samushunter0048]

Where was this guy when I was a kid lol😂

[@vcat417]

It’s about time we look on video games differently

[@pomellowq]

00:24

[@lrjak]

University in particular is mad expensive. It's true.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Every reference in that talk has the data to substantiate it. The cost difference over time is quite a number.

[@fedoua35]

Hallelujah

[@benisondevis4937]

Good

[@pomellowq]

0:41

[@a_clairexr4467]

Ergo josh is the best 😍

[@VideoGamesProf]

Yes. Yes he is. He's so good that I needed to share his superpowers in this talk.

[@KrissiWil]

I listened to this while playing video games. 😂

[@VideoGamesProf]

YES!!! Hopefully while livestreaming on Twitch.

[@kokongkrants8490]

a cool prof. who is holding a controller.

[@themanwnoname3454]

2023(Gregorian) “Respect and dignity.” Furthermore:

[@deannal.newton9772]

I'm surprised that Unreal Engine even had a course. I remember that Unreal Engine has developed the first Octopath Traveler game and Octopath Traveler 2.

[@kuhpunkt]

"I remember that Unreal Engine has developed the first Octopath Traveler game and Octopath Traveler 2." The engine doesn't develop games. Developers do - by using the engine as a foundation/toolkit.

[@deannal.newton9772]

@@kuhpunkt Oh, I saw the logo of Unreal Engine. So the developers use the technology to make the games. I got confused because I saw it in those titles.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@deannal.newton9772 Yes, tons of games use the engine.

[@Rhonettala187]

This was a masterpiece of a video. I work in higher ed and will definitely be sharing this with my school.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you kindly.

[@LuizFernando-yi2yj]

Nice TED, Kris is a people very funny, the video stayed more interesting

[@Pete-da-peter]

Okay kids..just send this to your mom. It's about time

[@newhairstylestips]

Video game could lead us to be more flexible than others. comment YES if you are agreed with me :)!

[@SchwarzeLanzeLP]

Gamification is an old head but know one how to successfully implement a complex discipline in one or Multiple tools

[@alirzaavseren7712]

👍💫....

[@alittletrickery]

not me playing, of all things, tic tac toe while listening to this

[@Le_gamer_boi]

Finally, s-ranking most of the Cuphead bosses will pay off...

[@funnytv-1631]

The feeling isnt what matters...it's how you respond to it. Right now you have the chance to unstuck yourself .will you take it?

[@w0mblemania]

What?

[@L3amp3r]

like that

[@Nezhnik]

Nice

[@Dr.Speller]

I’m a professor and a gamer and this is a bit ridiculous and impractical. “Learning styles” don’t have much empirical support and the application of the gamification of higher education seems niche at best. Glad it works for him, though.

[@user-fe7oi5kt3k]

I think this is a good eduction of studing ,it can poupular on the earth

[@colebarton8279]

I just watched this after playing 2048 during my math class lol

[@VideoGamesProf]

YES!!!! Thanks for watching.

[@milonnaturalsinaryinbangla5318]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍wow nice video😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@VideoGamesProf]

Thank you for watching.

[@milonnaturalsinaryinbangla5318]

@@VideoGamesProf welcome

[@thatomofolo452]

Nerdy 🤓

[@marcusswingle8627]

There are some serious fundamental flaws in this overall teaching theory. But in general, I agree with the method.

[@BassNinja]

Hands on experience make a big difference but you can't let the video games limit you to a controller and screen. Go outside and experience in life

[@infg0753]

That's old think bro. These gamer kids will smoke you at your "experience". While I'm not one myself I have a colleague and a kid who are and they're hyper fast in their work and highly intelligent - smart than most. This guy's on to something.

[@BassNinja]

@@infg0753 what experience like a dentist what's only in his hands

[@Sareaesque]

@@BassNinja the video gives an example of how a dentist uses gaming technology to assist with his work, and there are games specifically designed to train surgeons how to perform keyhole surgeries.

[@jerymarika]

Most people are able to both play games AND go outside. There's no need to choose.

[@BassNinja]

@@jerymarika true but the difference between outside and what games can do are instantly different

[@carlosandreflorentinodasil4835]

Num tem game falano de amô

[@Shamen22]

What about the problem of life not giving you clear objectives like video games?

[@randomcubing7106]

the fact that he uses a controller to change slides lmao

[@jarrellfamily1422]

It's too bad that this guy probably wasn't able to listen to the soundtrack of zelda minish cap

[@alfin_ulinn]

Im watching this video to learn English 😅

[@VideoGamesProf]

I hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@larrielbloomer2564]

Honestly , I love playing video games since I was a child. But I have been taught to be an examination-taker and scores-reaper for decades. For most of the students in my country, nothing matters except the GPA and those fucking so -called certificates and scores. I don't think it is what the real education is . This guy does show me a new way of studying which is usually criticized by my parents and teachers.

[@qumak100]

BALLS

[@pudicus2]

This huge brained man used a steam deck and dualsense controller for his presentation.

[@kuhpunkt]

It's a Steam Controller, not a Dualsense.

[@kacemsalem891]

Attention à vos enfants. Ils risquent de devenir adeptes des jeux vidéo.

[@aaroncarter2487]

Smart, funny and Handsome. Would you marry me?😂

[@brocanova]

It’s still interesting how many always try to find anything beneficial in video games, a bit resembling a collective Stockholm syndrome. Working with kids and adolescents for 25+ years let me reassure you: they waste precious time with any second they play virtual games.

[@w0mblemania]

Sounds very unlikely.

[@daniel-ib6rs]

Here dirt

[@thebigdawgj]

You're not a gamer. You didn't even use the gamer word.

[@helpmychildren2555]

;&- ارفعوا تعليقي اختككم من فلسطين غزة عندي اولادي زوجي رحمه الله متوفي نطلب منكم يد العون لشراء طعام لشهر رمضان للمراسله بق؛؛ ناتي وصوره الشخصصيه

[@Austinn72]

you watch boys and men play these games and you pretend as if we aren't training

[@necmettinkararer7335]

Ey İNSANLAR Sizleri İSLAM'A DAVET EDİYORUM. Unutmayalım ki öldükten sonra pişmanlık fayda vermiyor. "'LA İLAHE İLLALLAH MUHAMMEDURRASULULLAH"DEYİP KALBİMİZLE İMAN ETMEDİKÇE DÜNYADA DA AHİRETTEDE KURTULUŞ YOKTUR .

[@hotkeyafl]

you can listen to your teacher or you can win at Tetris. You can't do both. Just like people being distracted with their phones, they aren't engaged.

[@VideoGamesProf]

Wonderful insight. The hidden narrative starts to surface. Thanks for watching.

[@helpmychildren2555]

؛!&-🇵🇸🤲 Upload my comment, your sister from Palestine, Gaza. I have my children. My husband, may God have mercy on him, has passed away. We ask you for a helping hand to buy food for the month of Ramadan. Natty and his personal photo

[@w0mblemania]

Sure thing, weirdo.

[@olereidar]

Sounds like he has ADHD inattentive type.

[@pomellowq]

0:55