What do you think about the use of video games, both those that have natural ties to the curricular and those that are popular among students? Is there a place for them in your classroom?
When I think of video games, I think of how enjoyable it would be and interesting for students to take part in if it related to the course material being taught in class. I am a big fan of video games that relate to the curriculum and help enhance instruction because it would really keep students on their toes and interested throughout the whole process. I am a visual learner, so I know I'd be one of those students that would learn so much better through visuals and hands-on activities as opposed to plain text. There is always room for creativeness if teachers actually tried their best here and there to implement video games as part as center time or as a extra supporting tool. It can be used to review and reinforce material that's already taught.
On the other hand, I don't agree with the games that so many of our students love enjoying playing at home. Because I have witnessed students imitating the violent behavior or mimicking someone shooting a pistol. That behavior worries me because when students imitating that behavior they don't realize how unappropriate it is, especially if displayed in school. So, anything that promotes violence or what might have you, is completely unacceptable. I want my students coming into a learning classroom knowing that it is safe to be in without the worry of being bullied or harrassed by a student who may demonstrate that kind of behavior.
As long as games promote educational values and tie to the curriculum then I'd definitely use it!
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9 comments:
Hi Fihmiya,
You bring up an important point regarding video games in the classroom. Many students' experience with video games is outside the classroom where the content is often questionable. Do you think students will be as interested in an academic games as they are in those with violent, sexual content?
Victor
Victor,
I believe students would be interested in academic games just as much as they are in popular video games played at home. I think that if the teacher searches for academic games that are stimulating and challenge the students both intellectually and visually, then the students would surely enjoy the game and remain stimulated at the same time. For me personally, if I integrate games into my own classroom, I'd make sure they are ones that are of interest to the students while keeping the material related to the game of course.
Fihmiya
Hi Fihmiya!
I think you are right that academic video games would arouse great interest from students in the classroom. I hope I have access to games such as these!! If the popular games from home sat side-by-side with the academic games, which do you think they would choose?
~Kathleen
Fihmiya,
Once again, I see the elementary teacher side speaking! :) I find it interesting that video games may be more suitable during the elementary phase whereas in the high school phase, it has so much more potential to be a distraction. My students would want a year of learning through video games in that case. It's a challenging resource to work with in the sense that it can be abused easily if not implemented in the right situation. I also agree with you about the whole violence in video games issue--when I talk about implementing video games in my classroom in the future, I am ruling out the idea of any video game that involves things such as violence, although unfortunately, that's what seems to attract older kids to video games.
Sincerely,
Duaa
Duaa,
I can see why you would think that video games are a distraction for older students because trying to keep their attention is hard if you ever did integrate such games. Then again, like you said violence does attract older students so trying to implement educational games wouldn't be as interesting for them. Thanks for your post! :)
Fihmiya
Fihmiya,
An important role video games can play would also be simulation. There are social topics such as sex education, diversity, handicaps, etc. that can be broached through video games at developmental levels. These games could include an instructional as well as a parental mode.
Simulations allow for the learner to make "mistakes" in a safe environment. I wonder what kind of research is out there on learning from mistakes.
For older students, a possible solution for keeping interest would be having some open source on the video where the student can create a new solution, simulation, or wrinkle in the game.
I think the student would be interested and excited about playing video games in the classroom and if we could relate it to the curriculum what a better way to help students learn.
Using video games as a center time has good potential.
I also agree that some students pick up on the bad behavior and violence in video games but they could also see this on television,too, which is also bad.
As long is there is morals being taught in the classroom and each classroom has a "bully free zone" implemented then I think video games could work with the curriculum, too.
Ellen,
I agree with you completely! As long as video games are implemented in such a way that is educational and beneficial to students than why not use them.
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