1. Video Games and Learning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0qRKjfX3s
2. James Gee on Games and Learning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGd1URORsoE
Can video games be used as teaching tools and can they help students become better learners? Please explain.
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8 comments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-PT3vEjw5g&feature=channel
Check this out! It is a great addition to our discussion topic today.
I think it is great that this video actually addresses some of the issues surrounding digital media - young people know how to use while many adults do not. This creates a power struggle.
A power struggle in how and who defines knowledge, leadership, education, war, media....the list is endless.
I do not believe we a have a choice in whether or not we change at this point. How many times have you heard or even made a comment yourself as to whether or not today's young people will be prepared to lead our nation or simply obtain/maintain employment?
I think if we change the way in which we look at young people, embrace their ways, we will then come to recognize that there is "sense" in their future as a collective whole.
Where am I going with all of this? Look to this week's development in Korea and the US. A new type of "web-warfare" (allow me some latitude if you will)has been created. This is a new global challenge, one that I think our younger generations will be more equipped to fight and handle. A type of evolution if you may is occurring(and therefore survival of the fittest also changes).
I absolutely think gaming is a huge part of educating today's youth. They respond to it. They understand it. Not to say teachers will no longer be needed - children still need assistance in learning how to make connections, think critically, learn to decipher amongst all of the information out there in cyberworld.
Gaming has infinite possibilities.
I think that the video Abby found is excellent; in fact, we will be looking at it in depth tomorrow as we continue to discuss digital media. I think also that Abby makes a strong point in the discussion about digital natives almost having to rise up to face the challenges of a new society; one that can also be threatened by the misuse of digital technologies. It may be that we are living in a time where our generation may not necessarily be able to pass on the baton of education to our younger generation, but they may have to adapt in their own way. What do you guys think? What should be the role of educational leaders in this?
I think our role is to guide and allow this younger generation more control in defining education in the 21st century.
Change and giving up such control is hard business. It is interesting that in education, and in life, we teach our young that change in inevitable. Yet, we actively show them how to fight against change with strong convictions and might (especially if it is felt that one's position in the status quo may be negatively affected).
A logical reason for not wanting to change could be based purely on selfish motives.... assuming that is, one posts the question "Will a place for us older educators continue to exist if we allow for others to dictate such changes?" Or more simply put, "What about me? Is my knowledge no longer valued? Am I no longer valued?" This is scary for some to think about.
The word revolution was thrown into the discussion yesterday and I immediately began hearing the Beatles in my head. We are in a revolution - instead of marches on Washington, it is marches in all of our classrooms and homes. I wonder what revolutionary song will go through the heads of the techno natives when they sit and have a similar discussion about societal changes in education?????
What role would you say video games have in education within the scope of this digital revolution? Should we fear them or embrace them? And if so, what long term effect will video games have on education. Is there a benefit, or are these kids just trigger happy killers? Anyone for Halo?
Funny you should ask. I just posted on your Halo question. I am for gaming in schools. I think it is motivating and provides examples that children can connect with. Educators can use these games to reinforce curriculum.
We are all surrounded by violence - no one is not exposed to it in some manner. It is no longer an excuse. We will ban Halo but allow violent movies instead?
Children are creating video games themselves. How motivating and creative would it be to have students create games that incorporate the curriculum and demonstrate their learning? What a great tool to get students communicating more.
I think that you all raise incredibly interesting and valid points about gaming and the need to embrace it as educators. The one problem that I see is that we can't forget that technology is little more than a tool. There is a technological revolution. But what does that really mean? Does it mean that we surrender our beliefs about what constitutes knowledge and even right and wrong in the name of technology? I really believe that there is a danger in placing form over substance. We all need to educate ourselves about technology to even the playing field. There should not be a power struggle as Abby suggested earlier. I can clearly see her reasoning for such a statement. But I think that non digital natives have a responsibility to learn quickly.
Tangential learning is the key! I was extremely glad (and relieved) that one of the videos brought this up, and it goes to our discussion yesterday about teaching on a bigger scale than rote memorization.
I support the inclusion of any material that allow students to engage directly in their education, and often this means asking them to draw connections between the classroom material and their experiences. In the five years I have been teaching at the university level I have moved from lecturing to discussion, and I always start class by asking students how they are and how things are going in their lives. Some students object to this because they don't see the relevance, but for the most part it creates engagement and dedication to the environment and to our work.
I have had students integrate incredible personal things into their work--gaming is one of them. I haven't ever had students play games in class, but the videos we watched are correct. The more involved and engaged the students are the richer the entire learning environment is.
Video games provide incredibly rich and varied access to different experiences. A few years ago I shared with a colleague that until I casually played The Sims (a video game) I hadn't thought of balancing "wants" and "aspirations" the same way. It changed the way I managed my time and resources as a graduate student. It also turned me on to playing other games which helped me find catharsis during my Master's work.
And I agree with Abby's point that this is the kind of learning we are exposed to at Union. The kind of learning that demands that you integrate your entire being into the process.
I completely agree with Alyssa that non natives do have a responsibility to learn fast. What is stopping them from doing so? Fear, economics, values, motivation, not perceiving a need for such learning?
Tangential learning is wonderful and I think it needs to become the new "it" in education. I am thankful that Union had threaded into its learning for pre-cohort learners a piece on personal growth. I think this clearly demonstrates a respect for the individual.
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