On the other hand, some adults feel that learning does occur while playing video games. Playing video games can enhance communication skills, problem solving skills, and behavioral skills. It is an active learning process, not passive. The idea "learn from doing" is a great example of how playing video games can be useful. For example, if a 3rd student was playing a game and he was stuck on a level, he may use outside resources to find strategies or suggestions that will help him move to the next level. He may not realize it, but he was communicating with other gamers, deciding how to solve the problem, and becoming a member of a new semiotic domain. These same skills he used to play a video game may be the same skills he will use to work on a group project in college or a presentation for work. Like Gee says, the skills you use in one semiotic domain may carry over into another domain.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of video games. Though, there is a difference between people who are educated on video games and still don't agree that beneficial, and people who are ignorant and know nothing about video games and still think they are not educational. Over the past several years, my opinion of video games began to change. Even after reading just the first two chapters of Gee's book, I am already a believer that video games are educational and meaningful.
Nice comments, Natalie. I think you make some interesting connections between game playing and collaborative learning -- although I think most people would find them surprising. I think most still see gaming as a solitary enterprise. What kinds of skills specifically do you think will play out in both?
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I agree with all the positive things you said about video games. As a parent of two boys (14 and 9), I just have to say that moderation is important. If given the choice my boys would wake up in the morning and do nothing all day but play video games. Doing anything all day isn't good for them. I have to step in and limit their time because I feel all the positives would be lost otherwise.
ReplyDeleteLisa
Like Lisa, I believe that moderation is extremely important when it comes to playing video games. During the summer I work at a day camp, and if we allowed them to, there are some children who would play with their video games all day long. We set the rule that they would be able to play them before 9:00 and after 4:30. As a result, all we heard from many of them was "is it 4:30 yet?" or "can I play my DS yet?", and they asked that all day long. At the beginning of the summer I did not even know what a DS was.
ReplyDeleteNatalie wrote about collaborative learning, and I saw that with the campers this summer. When we did allow them to play with their games they sat together and discussed their games with each other (even when they were not playing against each other). I did see that they were working together to improve their skills. Without the advice and encouragement of other children, they may not have improved their skills as quickly.