In the various experiences of our group (Gros, 2004), we used a methodological approach that focused on the creation of a learning environment in which the videogame is essentially selected in order to provide the students with a rich learning experience.
In all the cases, the methodology used is similar. We have tried to build an integrated learning environment within the curriculum in which all the activities are designed with the videogame at the beginning, as the starting-point for the students’ experience. The use of the game usually occupied approximately 10 to 15 hours of work. In many cases, the content of the game did not refer to a par- ticular subject and the activities were designed in an interdisciplinary manner. For example, we used the game Age of Empires II in order to work on aspects that are related to the social sciences while, in parallel, the mathematics teacher used the same game to work on a reading of statistical graphics.
Also, in the selection of the games it was realized that the games would be accessible and, in many cases, already known by the students themselves and, as a consequence, the experience of playing with them was usually quite simple.
The work methodology used is based on the creation of a learning environ- ment that itself is based on four types of actions: