Despite its growing popularity, the TV game show formatremains a largely untapped educational resource, according toCooper-Chen. All you need is one camera, one host and asimple set. It takes a lot of organization, but that is also a learningopportunity. Game shows are used primarily to reinforce information butsometimes to change attitudes, she said, adding that recruitingresidents of all ages and cultural backgrounds to participate helps tosecure a show's success and send positive messages to theaudience. Kids want to have fun while theylearn.
Game shows are interactive, which makes it easier to attractand keep a young person's attention.
Using game shows for their educational value is a prospectbeing explored by people around the world. Many countries,especially those with state-controlled television systems, such asIndia, Saudi Arabia and parts of Africa, are interested in usingtelevision for educational development. But the TV game show format doesn't require a televisionto succeed, Cooper-Chen noted. The format will work nicely in aclassroom setting as well. The friendly competition,entertainment value, and the replication of the TV experience are allvaluable educational tools.