List of video games that promote learning

[countingdowndiddydown]

I was sent a free copy of Ian Livingston's (as in founder of Games Workshop, Govt. advisor on new Computing curriculum, and academy sponsor) new "Hacking the Curriculum" book. Can't comment on the book as I've just skimmed it (and I'm not a teacher), but this page at the end caught my eye and thought it might be of interest to some mumsnetters. It's his list of his recommended video games for promoting learning.

Thanks for sharing, but... what on earth do kids learn from Lego Starwars or The Legend of Zelda?

He's video game entrepreneur who is trying to get the government to promote his products. If a Coke executive came out with a powerpoint explaining how drinking coke aids learning, I wouldn't take too much notice of it.

Problem solving and spatial awareness.

And to be fair, these aren't "his products", and for some of them you'd have to dig out a very old console.

I did manage to find a free version of the rollercoaster one on the app store so planning to give that a go.

Football manager?
Cut the rope?

Nah.
Look I'm a gamer and both my kids play regularly to but it's grasping a bit

Cut the rope is good for physics. The manager games are good for .... Well management skills. But they're wide genres. Plenty of other examples out there.

I did say "some" mumsnetters. Not everyone knows where to start and some may find it useful for ideas.

My ds is a big video game fan, and I know a lot of parents disapprove, but from my point of view, it has benefited him in many way.
He plays RPG, has lots of problem solving and exposed him to vocabulary he doesn't easily encounter otherwise.