James Paul Gee’s “What Video Games Have To Teach Us About Learning And Literacy” mentions all sorts of learning principles but the Semiotic Principle interests me the most, using visuals to understand and learn. In the beginning of video games there normally is a small visual tutorial on how to play the game and understand different mechanics in the game. Just from the short tutorial we already know how to play the video game.

Just like in math there are “tutorials.” For example websites like Delta Math or MyMathLab on every question there is an option to show examples. These examples are little “tutorials” on how to solve the question. They demonstrate questions similar to the ones you’re trying to solve and show them step by step just like in video games. Personally without these tutorials and examples would be a lost cause especially since I’m a visual learner. With these math examples I am able to “see” how all the math works together to get the answer. It helps me understand ideas better than just works and numbers be said to me, painting a bigger picture for me.