Chapter 9 of
Teaching With The Tools Kids Really Use discusses the concept of using video games as means of educational instruction. Though I can see the practical use of using video games in the classroom, I do not think I am a fan of it. Mainly because video games today have a negative connotation associated with them and one kids perception of what a video game is differs from what another kid thinks a video game is. With that being said, video games in the classroom will not receive the attention the teacher intended. Even if kids are willing to play video games in the classroom, they will be instructional at that. I can just imagine many kids not having interest in games that make them learn their ABC's when instead they would rather be racing cars or battling each other. I know that some kids will take a liking to learning via video games, but I think those students are far and few between. With today's mindset of being digital and using iOS devices in the classroom, I see students taking a liking to learning with applications versus video games.
My personal interaction with video games is not really all that impressive. I am by no means a hardcore video gamer, I actually do not like them. The only video game system I own today is the Wii and I only use that for the Wii Fit game. Other than that I do not really do much interaction with those time wasting devices. I think with my lack of connection with today's video games. Educational games I find boring and not very interesting. I think that is because they lack creativity and they try to hard to get the message across about learning a certain topic. I seriously doubt I would use video games in my classroom. The only exception would be if I taught PE and could use the wii fit.
As a Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) game, Wii Fit will not work in a PE class, as it can only keep track of a few users.
ReplyDeleteHowever, what we are talking about in terms of using games generally is developing game design to engage students in educational planning for development, rather than using off the shelf games - for the most part.
This is still very much a developing area. Where this goes will be more like your Wii Fit, in terms of educational support, than could be done with current games - even with heavy teacher scaffolding.
In any case, this simply is intended to be an eye opener on something you may see developing more in a few years down the way. No need to worry about it now. :-)
Thanks for a good write up.