Video Games Coming to the Classroom
Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:56PM EST
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This may be hard for some parents to believe, but video games will be making their way into the classroom before we know it. And if done well, that could be a good thing.
Reuters reports on a game being developed by Doug Thomas, an associate professor at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. Called "Modern Prometheus," it's the story of Frankenstein used to teach ethical decision making.
Lots of problem-solving takes place. The player is Dr. Frankenstein's assistant, who must make several difficult choices that affect the game's outcome. A plague to cure is thrown into the mix.
Thomas knows his game may be a hard sell with educators, who may not believe this video game format and content fit with required curricula. So he's working with Indiana University Professor Sasha Barab, whose "Quest Atlantis" game is used by 4,500 students worldwide, Reuters reports.
Learning through hypothetical experience is a terrific idea. It makes all kinds of sense, since schools are already using iPods and other tech that kids are comfortable with to help teach material they may otherwise not be open to. But kids still have to learn real history to draw on to make real life-altering and ethical decisions.
My husband and I are surprised by how many projects involve making up stuff—countries, ads, resumes—at our kids' middle school. I'm all for creative thinking and problem solving. I'm just hoping they are reading and learning as much about real countries and historical events to help inform the work they are making up.
LINK: Universities bring video games into the classroom [Reuters via Yahoo! News]
Comments on Video Games Coming to the Classroom
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2 Posted by stopithailee02 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse
Lord Have Mercy............What is next?The parents have no say over what the schools have the rights to do with our kids.No wonder the world is a crazy mad place.Kupriaa1:All we can do is pray.
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3 Posted by keybowvio on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:50PM EDT Report Abuse
Kupriaa1- I agree with most of what you said, but with the "There is plenty of time in life for fun and games" Have you been to a high school lately????
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4 Posted by kodj11 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse
To the 1st 3 Posters~Actually, Schools are being Clever in tricking Students into Learning, and teaching them that Learning IS Fun, so Students will WANT to learn.
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5 Posted by tjsayah on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:12PM EDT Report Abuse
kupriaa1 - I also agree with most of what you said. But the message here is that you can have fun while learning, not school is supposed to be fun and games. if that was the case, would there be LeapPad, Type to Learn, Reader Rabbit or Zoombinis? The answer is NO. Some times people need to have FUN in their lives.
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6 Posted by hugsforfrazier on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse
Sure, children do need to be taught discipline in schools. But what's the point of forcing schoolchildren to learn out of textbooks when they can learn the same material with video games that will help them understand the lesson more AND make school way more fun? I understand that some parents may not be comfortable with all the new high-tech changes going on in classrooms, but I'm definitely up to it. It's not like they're playing 'Halo 3' in school or anything--just fun, educational video games that teach kids!
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7 Posted by blueberryclaw on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:09PM EDT Report Abuse
I know a lot of parents won't like this, but I think it's brilliant! I'm a student in high school, and I know a LOT of people that will start having more interest in school if it's video games. We do need to learn to read and write, do simple math in our heads, but our world is quickly becoming technology based, we NEED to know how to type, and work computers. School should be fun. What's wrong with it not being so? A bit wilder in class rooms, but if the teacher can keep it below an alarming level then what's wrong? Great idea!
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8 Posted by chiltoki on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse
Um, this is hardly news. Video games have been used in schools since the early 90's (that I know of, possibly even earlier). Games like "Oregon Trail" and "Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" for example. Technically the programs used to teach students how to type are also video games. In the 90's I played a video game in my Anatomy and Physiology class that was excellent at illustrating how say the chemical processes in your muscle tissue enables your muscles to work, as well as how the different systems are interconnected. It was fun and very educational; it's knowledge that I use to this day. If anyone is horrified by the idea of video games being used as teaching tools those people need to seriously look at what a video game is and not rely on whatever they hear or read in the media. not everything is "Mortal Kombat" and the like.
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9 Posted by bobablyralph on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse
kupriaa1- Are you like some 100 year old guy that has no life and can't get out of his house without telling someone orders? These kids have no fun at school, that's why they bring in things that are fun so they can actually bear school. I have two sons, one is 8, the other 14, they are A-Students, and don't need some corrupt adult to tell them that they should whip them in school to make them learn.
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10 Posted by leroystayclean on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:49PM EDT Report Abuse
I wish a kid could attend school for specialized training. For example, there are schools that teach dance. Students enrolled dance for 4-5 hours each day; the other part of the day is dedicated to other instruction. You might see this with student athlete on the college level. But I would like to think it might work on other levels too. If I had a child who had a bent for ballet, basketball, football or baseball; business, toys, crafts, marching band, engineering or ping pong, I would want to send my child to a school with that emphasized his or her interests. But I wouldn't stop at that point. He or she will parenting at each step of the way. That's the tough part!
1 Posted by kupriaa1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse
How about teaching kids discipline? When you give a student a game to play - you are signaling to a student that school should be fun and games. Last time i checked not all learning is considered fun. Learning requires discipline. Requires reading and writing. Games deceive students into believing school should be fun and games. Children should learn discipline- there is plenty of time in life for fun.