Can we learn socially and academically valuable concepts and skills from video games? How can we best teach the "gamer generation?" This accessible book describes how educators and curriculum designers can harness the participatory nature of digital media and play. The author presents a comprehensive model of games and learning that integrates analysis of games, games cultures, and educational game design. Building on over 10 years of research, Kurt Squire tells the story of the emerging field of immersive digitally mediated learning environments (or games) and outlines the future of education. Featuring engaging stories from the author's experience as a game researcher, this book: (1) Explores the intersections between commercial game design for entertainment and design-based research conducted in schools; (2) Highlights the importance of social interactions around games at home, at school, and in online communities; (3) Engages readers with a user-friendly presentation, including personal narratives, sidebars, screenshots, and annotations; and (4) Offers a forward-looking vision of the changing audience for educational video games. Following a foreword by James Paul Gee, featuring contributions by Henry Jenkins, the book presents the following chapters: (1) Possible Worlds: Why Study Video Games? Aren't They a Waste of Time? (2) Ideological Worlds: What Makes a "Good" Educational Game?; (3) Teaching with Games: Learning Through Play; (4) Community Organizing for Participatory Learning; (5) Games-to-Teach: Designing Games for Learning; (6) Games in Classrooms: Replaying History; (7) The Aesthetics of Play; (8) Design Literacy: Productive Play; (9) Games Go to School: Situated Learning, Adaptable Curricula; and (10) The Future of Games for Learning.