Teaching introductory undergraduate Physics using commercial video games

TL;DR

This paper explores how commercial video games with advanced physics simulations can be effectively used as educational tools to teach introductory undergraduate physics, enhancing student engagement and understanding.

Contribution

It demonstrates practical methods and examples of integrating commercial video games into physics education, highlighting their potential as teaching resources.

Findings

Video games can effectively illustrate physics concepts.

Students show increased engagement with game-based learning.

The approach is feasible for undergraduate physics courses.

Abstract

Commercial video games are increasingly using sophisticated physics simulations to create a more immersive experience for players. This also makes them a powerful tool for engaging students in learning physics. We provide some examples to show how commercial off-the-shelf games can be used to teach specific topics in introductory undergraduate physics. The examples are selected from a course taught predominantly through the medium of commercial video games.