Re: Violence and Video Games (about learning rather than teaching)
tandos mama
NO!
They are not “teaching us.”
Players are learning, and practicing, honing, exploring, using, doing. The game isn’t doing anything. The player does it all.
ALL learning is inside the learner.
Stop using “teach.”
Stop thinking “teach.”
I continue to find this distinction fascinating.
Sandra, your writing alerted me to a different way of thinking that's essential, not only within my own family, but to my work as a university professor. I avoid the word 'teach' even at my job. Some folks might argue it's just semantics, but you'd be amazed how the focus of a conversation changes when we discuss how we can help facilitate learning, rather than how can we teach. The shift puts the individual who is learning at the forefront.
The word 'teach' is overused and hackneyed. Most people in the profession don't agree about what it actually means anyway. Try to define teach and one ends up requiring words that shift the active role to the learner.
I'm often dissatisfied in my professional work--long story that isn't relevant here--but I like to think that this shift in language is one contribution I can make to changing the climate in an art department where I'm tasked with helping create an environment in which artists can learn and grow.
Thank you, and the many other generous writers here, for helping me to see and think in a better way.
Tori