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Dumais EdTech 597 - Edutainment

After reading the book chapter and papers in this week, discuss with your classmates about
characteristics of edutainment. In your post, please list and explain at least five characteristics
of edutainment.
The five characteristics of edutainment that I believe are the key to success of an activity are as
follows:
1. The first requirement is that it must be educational. Certainly in a school setting this has
to be the first priority as we have a professional obligation to teach the curriculum.

2. The second requirement is that the material must be entertaining. The purpose of
edutainment is to blend education and entertainment together to keep the students
attention while facilitating learning. As Jane McGonical discussed in her TED talks
presentation, she described this concept of blissful productivity. The idea that the activity
is so engaging that the students are being completely entertained while learning
(McGonical, 2010).


3. The third requirement is related to the second, as the purpose of edutainment is to pass on
information to the students and the student must learn and demonstrate understanding. If
the student is unable to demonstrate learning in some manner, then the first 2 categories
need to be reassessed as part of an instructional design focus.

4. The fourth aspect of edutainment is that it must induce a mental flow, that the student
must be enjoying the activity so much that they are immersed in the activity, challenges
and learning environment. This flow will stimulate the intrinsic desire to learn, challenge
ones self and ultimately to learn (Rieber, 1996).

5. The fifth and final element of edutainment is related to number four, the activity or game
must be fun. When the game is fun it will induce a flow, the student will learn and be
focused on acquiring the skills necessary to complete the task and acquire the educational
goals of the activity (Okan, 2003).

Reference:
Carney, R. N., & Levin, J. R. (January 01, 2002). Pictorial Illustrations Still Improve Students'
Learning from text. Educational Psychology Review, 14, 1, 5-26.
McGonical, J. (2010, March 17). Jane McGonical: Gaming can make a better world.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE1DuBesGYM
2 T. Dumais EdTech 597 - Edutainment


Okan, Z (2003). Edutainment: is learning at risk? British Journal of Educational Technology,
34(3), 255264.

Rieber, L (1996). Seriously considering play: Designing interactive learning environments
basedon the blending of microworlds, simulations, and games. Education technology
research and development, 44 (2), 43-58