Video Games and Education

Video Games/Learning:

I think this is a very interesting topic to discuss in regards to education. After reading the Henry Jenkins article it made me think more logically and critically about the idea of video games and learning in terms of education. I feel that the Henry Jenkins article breaks down the issues in education and related them to the classroom. Some main points in the article that I found to be helpful is one; the discussion of the Labyrinth and how it can be used as homework. Also, how this relates to the bigger picture and bigger ideas. The development of strategies and problem solving skills can be applied to any aspect of learning not just in video games. The article states how Labyrinth “also promotes writing.” While playing video games kids will have to read the clues and think logically about the clues in order to solve the problem or advance to the next level. Overall, I think this article has good points that reflect the changing culture of students in relation to education and video games.

I also feel that some video games can promote positive social interactions such as teamwork when trying to figure out the answers to the questions or puzzles. I think that video games and other TV interactive games are the new way kids learn and it will only keep increasing and I think as educators we need to adapt to this style of learning and the technology it brings with.

Along with the importance of video games and how students can learn from them, it is also important to realize some of the consequences that video games have on students as well. The article that we read called “Genderplay: Successes and Failures in Character Designs for Videogames” brought a few of the very important issues that are surrounding video games. Stereotypically, boys are more likely to play video games, at least when video games first came out they were thought to, (although now this may be untrue). Many of the females in a lot of the video games are depicted as what a normal female would look like, same situation as with a Barbie doll. As the article discusses many females are depicted as sex objects or ‘dumb’ in the game.

The discussion of Tomb Raider brought out a very good point of what kind of influence video game depictions of females can do to both sexes. Many girls who often play video games are younger and may feel that they have to be that skinny or have certain body shape to be cool. This is not an image that our culture should be sending out to young girls. Growing up I too have noticed the skinny waist, blond hair and big breasts of Princess Peach of the Mario Brothers. As a whole I found the article to be very true, unfortunately and feel that video games are becoming important ‘fun, social’ interactions for students at home they can also be used as tools in and outside of the classroom.

Lastly, the article by James Paul Gee was also very interesting and took a different approach to kids, education and video games. The article makes the reasoning behind why video games are so popular somewhat simple but yet hard to do. I think the first few paragraphs bring up some major points that are needed in education to better help 21st century children. “Underground teach children not only how to play but how to learn, and to keep on learning” is very good statement that should be and is needed to apply to all aspects on teaching and learning in both a very vague sense but also a very specific sense. I think the idea of children relating to ‘strong identities’ is a very good point. In the interactive video game WII kids get to design what they and their friends and family members look like creating a strong personal relationship to the game. I think kids see themselves on the screen and what to look good and not mistakes and most importantly they want to learn how to solve the problem or beat their old record. Also, like the article says making it more personal adds a “real sense of agency, ownership, and control.”
The way the article is written, especially the section about the cycle of mastery has a direct connection to how students learn. I think that if video games are used properly they can drastically increase many areas of learning for students.

Brief Questions for Discussion:
A.) Did you play video games growing up, why or why not? if so what was your favorite one?
B.) Do you think video games are helpful or harmful..why?
C.) Write a brief persuasion article about why video games should or should not be allowed in a classroom? Give examples from the links and from your own personal experience.