How Educational is Farmville?

Educational Games Research ^ | 2-27-10 | John Rice

[7jason]

Many players have noted the “work” in FarmVille seems somewhat educational. This, in fact, is what intrigues educators about video games in general. They are so interactive and require focused attention to progress. So, the thinking goes, if we can have students play with educational elements perhaps they’ll absorb some pedagogical content in ways they can’t through books or television. Could FarmVille be a tool leveraged for classroom use?

[7jason]

Good for the classroom? Good for teaching math? You decide.

[mystery-ak]

I, mystery-ak am addicted to Farmville....there I said it!!!

[lmr]

Farmville is very educational as most strategy games are. This is probably the upper echelon of video-gaming, though. Most of the stuff below this level isn’t very educational at all.

I highly recommend playing Civilization 3 or 4. This game can introduce the player to geopolitics and history and is a good start to really understanding our world and how it works. Many Lefties lack this understanding because of their insular indoctrination.

[PoplarBluffian]

LOL! I’m addicted,too! Who would have “ thunk” that when I retired I would take up farming?

[stefanbatory]

Hi Mystery-ak!

(wanna be fv neighbors?)

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I was addicted too, I had a farm, and set up a farm on my daughter's facebook page. Yes, I had a problem.

So I deleted both of them. I still think with sadness of my lovely villa, my cows, my chickens, and my farming equipment.

[GeronL]

Its not educational. White grapes don’t harvest a day after planting.

That reminds me...

[RnMomof7]

I quit it.. boring

[1raider1]

Geeks in Geekworld.

[RnMomof7]

I guess ....

[GeronL]

whew. Got them harvested before they withered! Thanks.

[christianhomeschoolmommaof3]

I like Zoo Tycoon. It is hard. It requires you to work within a budget, plan your zoo, and take care of the animals.

[mystery-ak]

sure....I will send you my real name via FR mail..lol

[mystery-ak]

My website and FV keep me busy but I can walk away from my farm at any time....yes, I can....

[central_va]

Farmville VA. is pronounced “fawmvul” by the locals....

[JesusBmyGod]

I enjoy Farmville, a lot. It was a great learning opportunity for my children when we sat down an created a spreadsheet to determine which crops were the most profitable. We continue to talk strategy on planting and animal harvesting to help them achieve their specific farming goals.

All in all, I think it's been a good learning tool for us. And it's fun too. The only drawback is the amount of time that can be spent working the game.

[kacres]

I’m addicted also, and my 11 year old plays after homeschooling is done...cool game.

[PackerBoy]

I need FV neighbors. Not lectures about how “dumb” FV is.

[7jason]

LOL. You tell ‘em, PackerBoy. Go git those neighbors!

[autumnraine]

Hello, my name is Autumnraine and I am a Farmville addict.

My 8 year old plays Farmville on a closed Facebook account (no friends but me, I log her in and out) and she does really well figuring out how much she has to plant, how much she will make after the cost of plowing and buying seeds, etc... How many more animals she could fit on her land if she invested in chicken coops or stables for cows... and so on.

So yes, I say Farmville is educational in some ways.