Category: News and Views
Some video games valued for education
Research in the United States suggests certain video and
computer games can aid children in their educational
development. The Chicago Tribune reported on the
research, in which experts cite role-playing and
simulation games as boosting vocabulary, reasoning and
social skills. Some have even suggested supplanting much
of the traditional K-12 curriculum with a new generation
of game-based lessons to accommodate the increasingly
short attention spans of today's youth. "Right now in
American schools we spend most of the first six or seven
years of math education teaching kids to do what a
99-cent calculator does," said David Williamson Shaffer,
an education professor at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison and author of "How Computer Games Help
Children Learn." The Tribune reported that high on the
list of educationally beneficial games are Civilization,
in which players create a historically accurate
civilization, and Zoo Tycoon, in which players run a
zoo, choosing animals and even managing a budget. Some
educators are skeptical, saying the educational benefits
of video and computer games are much over-hyped.
Just think of it, if everyone could use a calculator but no one new mathematics basics.
What are those idiots thinking of?
That's crazy.
No thanks.
End of rant.
Bob
I can see how some games could be educational, but learning the basics of math is still vary important.
Well you can learn the basics of maths through loads of electronic toys and stuff these days. Look at those leap pad things.
the method and formula of math is only learnt through practical aplication. pressing buttons on a game or a calculator doesn't help you to realise why you come up with the answer you do, and that is what it is all about.
I don't know civilisations, but there's a few strategy games, Ancient Empires and the like, that I think really do teach you a lot about that sort of problem solving. It's hardly a history lesson though, since the historical trivia involved is only what's most relevant to the function of the game. I don't know on this one. It makes me twitch when people right off all computer games as mindless and pointless, but then it's pretty obvious that a lot of the most popular games are just that. And digital interface learning is a different sort of learning style altogether. I don't think we even have a good idea of all the differences yet.
Which gets around to saying.... I don't have an opinion on this one yet. Bloody interesting though.
There used to be a time when calculators weren't even allowed in the classroom. Every step had to be worked out on paper. How are we going to learn just by pressing buttons? Don't get me wrong, the Leapfrog toys are educational, but to me, learning comes from applying the knowledge you gain in school to real-life situations. In any case, isn't that what is done in classrooms?
Yes crazy to use a machine to do what you need to learn to do if the power goes off. No batteries mom, so don't know what 3 +4 is. Shame I think. I really think all gadgets should be outlawed in the schools tell a serten age say junior high school. The basics need be learned.
I can see where some games are educational, but it's all about a balance. games should never be used to replace teachers, and learning basic skills. I think they could be used to practice some of those skills. Just like I think it's wrong for some parents to use the TV as an electronic baby-sitter so they don't have to really spend time with their kids. But that's a whole other rant.