Despite its growing popularity, the TV game show format remains a largely untapped educational resource, according to Cooper-Chen. All you need is one camera, one host and a simple set. It takes a lot of organization, but that is also a learning opportunity. Game shows are used primarily to reinforce information but sometimes to change attitudes, she said, adding that recruiting residents of all ages and cultural backgrounds to participate helps to secure a show's success and send positive messages to the audience. Kids want to have fun while they learn.
Game shows are interactive, which makes it easier to attract and keep a young person's attention.
Using game shows for their educational value is a prospect being explored by people around the world. Many countries, especially those with state-controlled television systems, such as India, Saudi Arabia and parts of Africa, are interested in using television for educational development. But the TV game show format doesn't require a television to succeed, Cooper-Chen noted. The format will work nicely in a classroom setting as well. The friendly competition, entertainment value, and the replication of the TV experience are all valuable educational tools.