It is now well known that good video games incorporate good learning principles and have a lot to teach us about learning in and out of schools. Unfortunately, they have arrived in prime time with two strikes against them. The first strike is the the perception that all video games are based on violence. The second strike is that video games are all about action and have no real content - like school!
It is now 2009, I believe forward-thinking teachers need to advocate for a new face on this learning tool and design a plan to clear the minds of both administrators and parents about this new technology.
Will you help me in this endeavor?
We can start by providing them the available research about games and their impact on learning. Next, we can show them the difference between a "good" computer game and "those others".
And last, but not the least of our strategies, will be to demonstrate the foundation and workings of a "good" computer game.
Yes, this will entail the children showing the adults how this technology works and the benefits derived from this problem solving and creative thinking tool!
It is now post time (sorry for the pun)! We must move this agenda forward!
I am asking for your input into this matter. Help me get these misunderstood learning tools into our classrooms?
I agree with you 100%, I've been teaching computer class since 1990 using games to get the points across. From Reader Rabbit for Kindergarten to ZAP Science for the third graders educational games have helped my students learn the same ideas presented in the classroom but on the computer playing a game they tend to remember these little ideas and they grow. I've been preaching this for a long time it's nice to have validation from our class. I'm on board let's move forward.
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