Should Nintendo Wiis be in Schools?

Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:24PM EST

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Dance Dance Revolution in gym class is one thing. But the Nintendo Wii doesn't cut it as a worthwhile PE option.

That's the thinking of an education advocacy group in the United Kingdom, where there are plans to add Wii games in some schools to "improve attitude, behaviour and attendance," according to gamesindustry.biz.

The Campaign for Real Education, which lobbies for higher educational standards and more parental choice in state education, says incorporating the Wii in schools is "pandering to the views of the physically idle," and that kids would be better off participating in competitive sports and games.

Ars Technica notes that a recent study by Nintendo's UK marketing group Cake finds a slight increase in energy spent playing Wii Sports, but not enough to "contribute towards the recommended daily amount of exercise."

I agree. I like the Wii because it gets kids moving more than other video games. But c'mon, you can't argue that there's any true and lasting cardio benefits to it. Now, if it were the Wii Fit, which is not yet widely available, there may be a compelling reason to add it to school phys ed routines.

What do you think? Do Wiis belong in schools?

LINKS: UK education group: keep the Wii out of PE class [Ars Technica] 

Campaigner blasts Wii in schools "gimmick" [gamingindustry.biz] 

Related: Nintendo Gets Physical with Wii Fit 

 

 

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Comments on Should Nintendo Wiis be in Schools?

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  • 6 Posted by capuletnew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    Have you ever done Wii boxing? It will wear you out quick.

  • 7 Posted by chansie06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it is a great idea, but I feel that the games that are avaiable currently are not going to bennfit the students much. Maybe if there were more games geared toward the exercise of students. I am sure that, if proposed properly to nintendo, they would be more than happy to come up with a new game to get kids to become more active than they already are with the system. I really do believe it would improve attendance. I used to skip PE all the time because it was all work and no fun once I was out of elementary school. In fact I had to take an outside source of PE just to graduate on time. Which can be even more expensive for those who can't afford it. I believe that the pros outweigh the cons here but that ultimately the idea needs a little more work.

  • 8 Posted by aoshi4misao on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think the Wii in schools would be a great idea. It would encourage activity among the children who are not comfortable playing sports, say perhaps, they have a physical disability that prevents them from playing on the level of normal students, but they could handle the easier movements of the Wii. Or, what about the rainy days, every school has days where it is just not feasible to let your children play outside. What then, do homework, or increase moral in the kids, and boost their enthusiasm for school and physical activity with the Wii. I think it would be a great idea for them, and I wish that it had been around when I was in school. I belong to a gym where they have them for the kids to play while their parents are working out. Kids benefit from it, plain and simple. Make them happy, make them excited about working out/ being active, and make them excited about school. How often do you hear a kid be excited about going to school to participate in gym? If they had a Wii they could play, they might. It increases natural friendly competitiveness and activity. I believe whole heartedly that the Wii would be a useful addition to any gym room.

  • 9 Posted by agstgeorge on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    As an avid gamer I love the Idea of making such systems available at a school, but having dedicated a fair ammount of my career (school age coach and activities director) Researching the benifits and pitfalls of games, I have to say that games can play a role, but should be extracurricular. Don't trade physed for Wii, but I see nothing wron with having a Wii social club that meets after school daily. It is a great way to stimulate social interaction and give some kids who may not beable to afford such systems a chance to participate. If the program was academic based (certain GPA to remain involved, like most extracurricular activities are), I believe that the benefits of increased interest and attendance could be seen.

  • 10 Posted by skiskiacm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    What's next Brain Age on the DS to replace lower level math?

  • 11 Posted by princeofdarkness16101 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    Speaking as a parent of school age children, I think kids in most countries that have access to game systems as a rule spend MORE than enough time on them. It's one thing to put them in schools in countries where kids don't have much of an option for physical education classes but for countries like America or the United Kingdom where they have the options I think it would be a bad idea. Besides, what parent wants to ask their child what they did in school today and hear "I played video games"?

  • 12 Posted by keke22397 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    they are needed thats like saying kids should not have a social life

  • 13 Posted by adajoy588 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    I work out regualary and Wii sports, the boxing game and the tennis game within a half an hour of playing it make my arms feel like jello. Even the next day they are slightly sore. I don't think the game should be played everyday, but twice a week or so would get kids active and also let them have fun while doing it. Kids these days only want to sit and play video games, if getting them to move around while playing them will help then I say try it.

  • 14 Posted by smartgamer2186 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think the wii should be in school. u just need to find the right games. like big brain academy, mario and sonic at the olympic games, and many others. the games that i said are kinda educational and the mario and sonic one uses a lot of arm power. believe me, i have it.

  • 15 Posted by cytakhawaii on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love the game - at home - as a recreational pasttime with my son. But to include it in the school's PE curriculum? Not sure it would have any redeaming value for the kids. It might be good as an additional subsequent pasttime for kids in an A+ program. But not as part of the regular school activities. One drawback is that it may cause the school to incur a large investment, since it may not be worth buying the system unless it is coupled with a large, flatscreen TV.

  • 16 Posted by princesscallie_15 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    yes they should they exersise the brain and exersise your body too!!!!!!!

  • 17 Posted by animefan520 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    Given how hard it is to buy a Wii in stores, you do realise that if you do the Wii-School thing, then you might not be able to find them in the schools for very long. This being due to someone at the school stealing them so they can 'have' one.

  • 18 Posted by ghettogirl1928 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    okay then...here's how it goes down...I am 17 and still in high school. i go to a performing arts school and there is only one gym class requirement...2 credits which is only one semester and this is all through high school. So my gym credits were finished my freshman year. There is dance at my school which is good exercise if you are a dance major. I am a music major so thats where my focus is. I also play volleyball but being that I go to an arts charter school I can't play through high school. Anyways...if there were a class where you got the opportunity to play the wii and that was a class, i think that would highly increase numbers of students for one, and the number of attendance for sure. Also the people that don't have the money or the opportunity to play a wii at all will get to see what it is all about also. My mom loves the wii. I have one at home and my mom plays it just for exercise. I bet that if all parents being that they aren't always the most...available to high tech items if they got to see the wii and how it works and just knowing that their kids wont be sitting down all day playing nintendo, i think they would be very lenient as to paying a little more taxes to get their children some exercise. And for a compromise, their are plenty of after school activities at my school and they have to do with the performing arts...so those focused on music could join the wii club and get some exercise. and those in theatre can also get in some wii time too. for the fun and the exercise. Just thought a different point of view from someone who may know...smore about life in school...

  • 19 Posted by ryukulu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    The Wii Fit is something that could be integrated for a short unit. It does help you improve your balance, and it gives good feedback. The time associated with changing players and setup can be quite long and arduous though. A competent gym teacher could make it work, but overall even the Wii Fit probably should be left in the home. Get kids out in the fresh air, really moving around and getting a work out. Wii sports, while fun, requires almost no replication of the actual movements used in the real sport. You CAN swing your tennis racket like you would in real life, but a quick flick of your wrist does the same thing. Fun, but not a real tool to teach kids with.

  • 20 Posted by austinthedesigner on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Nintendo Wii's would definetly improve attendance in schools if they were apart of the Physical Education program. I think they should put Wii's in the classroom because kids would have more fun in competing with each other.

  • 21 Posted by dara4her on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is rediculous! video games in school?!?!!?!?! o c'mon already! honestly all this new technology everywhere has just made people impatient and dumber. seriously a wii is fine at home but not in school! ever heard of real learning? this is crazy! what has our society come to! and remeber im still a student in middle school and I'm voting down the wii in school, what does that tell you?!?

  • 22 Posted by ashlieann2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm torn. personally I am not a competitive person. so getting me out on the court in gym class and giving it my all wasn't easy. on top of not really caring if i did well i felt guilty for not being better for my team mates. the wii however lets you play against a computer so you're doing you're best for yourself, a lot less presure. so i could see it maybe being excepteable for students that don't do well in a normal gym class. maybe as extra credit, after school, or during a free period. maybe the student would have to beat their personal best against the computer x amount of times in order to help their grade. i don't however think it should replace gym class even once a week or as a treat to students for doing well. then again what do i know

  • 23 Posted by vinhtony on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    i agree to accept the WII in school beacsue it can be entertaining . i know because i am a teacher at peidmont middle school, CA, 95132. please come vist my name is Mr.Angulo

  • 24 Posted by chipgrater on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Dude, Markaztig i agree 100%, we need something like that.

  • 25 Posted by soljagurlxoxo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I deff. think wii's should be allowed b/c its a good workout:] i use my brothers everyday.

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