Gaming thoughts
fullmoonfarm_mn
I came across this the other day while looking for info to back
up/slam down my ideas about video games and learning.
http://pc.gamezone.com/news/07_03_03_06_17PM.htm
The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure that
kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
world around them."
Is this really necessary? Do we need to do this for our kids to get
the most out of the games, or can we just let them go at it and
absorb it on their own, to later think about the context of the game
(or not)?
Another article I came across cited a British study of kids and
learning through gaming, but the games used in the study were
limited to a few like Bob the Builder and such.
Does anyone out there have any links to actual studies, not just
someone's writing citing a study?
TIA-
Dawn O
up/slam down my ideas about video games and learning.
http://pc.gamezone.com/news/07_03_03_06_17PM.htm
The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure that
kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
world around them."
Is this really necessary? Do we need to do this for our kids to get
the most out of the games, or can we just let them go at it and
absorb it on their own, to later think about the context of the game
(or not)?
Another article I came across cited a British study of kids and
learning through gaming, but the games used in the study were
limited to a few like Bob the Builder and such.
Does anyone out there have any links to actual studies, not just
someone's writing citing a study?
TIA-
Dawn O
Betsy Hill
**The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure that
kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
world around them."
Is this really necessary? **
I don't think so. I was having a conversation like this about books
the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
Some people have talked about enjoying horror movies because they are
analyzing the quality of the special effects. I think this was how my
conversation (above) about books got started. We were talking about
just enjoying different media, or being critical of it. Lately, when
I watch movies, my eye is very picky about lighting in the scenes that
are filmed in front of screens (green screens? blue?). Just a small
sense of "unreality" or "wrongness" about the lighting is enough to
jolt me from enjoying the movie to thinking "this looks fake" and I
shift from being a happy audience member to being a critic.
Critics think everyone should be like them (and ditto the proessor you
cited), but I think there are other ways to have fun. Hey, I'm
striving to be less "critical" in my life, so it sounds like my advice
and my philosophy are consistent. Enjoy -- no need to pick it to
death. True for books, games, movies. (Oh! I like to enjoy stuff
first, them maybe analyze it and dwell on it afterwards, if I'm really
fascinated.)
Betsy
kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
world around them."
Is this really necessary? **
I don't think so. I was having a conversation like this about books
the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
Some people have talked about enjoying horror movies because they are
analyzing the quality of the special effects. I think this was how my
conversation (above) about books got started. We were talking about
just enjoying different media, or being critical of it. Lately, when
I watch movies, my eye is very picky about lighting in the scenes that
are filmed in front of screens (green screens? blue?). Just a small
sense of "unreality" or "wrongness" about the lighting is enough to
jolt me from enjoying the movie to thinking "this looks fake" and I
shift from being a happy audience member to being a critic.
Critics think everyone should be like them (and ditto the proessor you
cited), but I think there are other ways to have fun. Hey, I'm
striving to be less "critical" in my life, so it sounds like my advice
and my philosophy are consistent. Enjoy -- no need to pick it to
death. True for books, games, movies. (Oh! I like to enjoy stuff
first, them maybe analyze it and dwell on it afterwards, if I'm really
fascinated.)
Betsy
[email protected]
-----Original Message-----
From: Betsy Hill <ecsamhill@...>
I was having a conversation like this about books
the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
-=-=-=-=
I think that's how poetry gets a bad rep. Teachers seem to NEED to
explain/analyze/pick apart poetry. Can't it just be enjoyed???
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
School's goal is to prepare them to be anything they want. But the
process is so dullifying and kids haven't explored the possibilities
of what they could be that many set their sites as low as possible.
They go to college to get a job to buy stuff. ~Joyce Fetteroll
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
From: Betsy Hill <ecsamhill@...>
I was having a conversation like this about books
the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
-=-=-=-=
I think that's how poetry gets a bad rep. Teachers seem to NEED to
explain/analyze/pick apart poetry. Can't it just be enjoyed???
~Kelly
Kelly Lovejoy
Conference Coordinator
Live and Learn Unschooling Conference
http://liveandlearnconference.org
School's goal is to prepare them to be anything they want. But the
process is so dullifying and kids haven't explored the possibilities
of what they could be that many set their sites as low as possible.
They go to college to get a job to buy stuff. ~Joyce Fetteroll
________________________________________________________________________
Check out AOL.com today. Breaking news, video search, pictures, email
and IM. All on demand. Always Free.
Pamela Sorooshian
On Jul 9, 2006, at 9:09 AM, fullmoonfarm_mn wrote:
about things that interest their kids - talk about the games, help
them make connections, help expand their experience, help get them
related books or movies or whatever -- then I agree with him. That is
what "supporting their interests" and "creating an enriched
environment" means. Not that parents need to do all the things on his
list - but, yes, unschooling parents interact with their kids about
the things the kids are into - and support those interests in ways
that expand the kids experience of the world around them.
-pam
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure thatIf what he is saying is that parents ought to engage with their kids
> kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
> design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
> recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
> world around them."
>
> Is this really necessary? Do we need to do this for our kids to get
> the most out of the games, or can we just let them go at it and
> absorb it on their own, to later think about the context of the game
> (or not)?
about things that interest their kids - talk about the games, help
them make connections, help expand their experience, help get them
related books or movies or whatever -- then I agree with him. That is
what "supporting their interests" and "creating an enriched
environment" means. Not that parents need to do all the things on his
list - but, yes, unschooling parents interact with their kids about
the things the kids are into - and support those interests in ways
that expand the kids experience of the world around them.
-pam
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
On Jul 9, 2006, at 10:29 AM, Betsy Hill wrote:
described - not the equivalent of insisting people have to "analyze"
a book. I mean - that "could" be part of it, if that is of interest
to the kid (my kids are very analytical types and, to them, there is
no such thing as "analyzing a book to death" - they LOVE to analyze -
having never been forced to do it as an assignment, they think it is
fun). But it could also be making arrangements to take your kid to a
gaming convention or helping him set up a lan party or watching
related movies or, really, just taking an interest in the game and
chatting casually about it, asking questions about how it is played,
etc.
-pam
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Is this really necessary? **I agree with the above, but I don't think that is what the writer
>
> I don't think so. I was having a conversation like this about books
> the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
> the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
> a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
> simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
described - not the equivalent of insisting people have to "analyze"
a book. I mean - that "could" be part of it, if that is of interest
to the kid (my kids are very analytical types and, to them, there is
no such thing as "analyzing a book to death" - they LOVE to analyze -
having never been forced to do it as an assignment, they think it is
fun). But it could also be making arrangements to take your kid to a
gaming convention or helping him set up a lan party or watching
related movies or, really, just taking an interest in the game and
chatting casually about it, asking questions about how it is played,
etc.
-pam
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Melissa
Interesting. I'm an immersion person myself. I usually read books
three times...the first time just for transportation, the second for
analysis, and the third to remember it ;-) I assume that video games
are similar for my children, once you have fully immersed yourself,
gotten as far as you can, that's when they start playing and
analyzing things.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (8), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (4), Dan
(2), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
three times...the first time just for transportation, the second for
analysis, and the third to remember it ;-) I assume that video games
are similar for my children, once you have fully immersed yourself,
gotten as far as you can, that's when they start playing and
analyzing things.
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (8), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (4), Dan
(2), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
On Jul 9, 2006, at 12:29 PM, Betsy Hill wrote:
> **The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure that
> kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
> design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
> recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
> world around them."
>
> Is this really necessary? **
>
> I don't think so. I was having a conversation like this about books
> the other day. When I read I want to be transported to the world in
> the book and wallow in it. I don't want to analyze it as though I am
> a professor. Maybe some people can enjoy things on two levels
> simultaneously, but I'm not expecting that I can.
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
<<Is this really necessary? Do we need to do this for our kids to get
the most out of the games, or can we just let them go at it and
absorb it on their own, to later think about the context of the game
(or not)? >>
I don't think so..
My son 14 is into Runescape this year and various game systems over the
years. I read the front page when he began it bc he needed my credit card. I've
watched him play and I've used it for his reviews beyond that we talk. Games
are great tools!
He helped a friend collect items on the game to sell on Ebay and send his
parents on the honeymoon they never took.
I've seen a parent allow their child to play then pull them back or
punish/ban the computer when they got too interested. Sad esp now no longer living at
home the kid plays anyway.
If as parents we find something we like would we want some telling us
"Ok,that's enough for today or "no you can't do that I don't like it"(or it's not
healthy)?
Listen to your child, then your heart, then others and with your information
you will know what's right for your child/family by openly talking about it.
**Here are some good reads...
http://sandradodd.com/videogames
Laura
Mom and friend of 4 ages 2-14
unschoolingmaine.com
the most out of the games, or can we just let them go at it and
absorb it on their own, to later think about the context of the game
(or not)? >>
I don't think so..
My son 14 is into Runescape this year and various game systems over the
years. I read the front page when he began it bc he needed my credit card. I've
watched him play and I've used it for his reviews beyond that we talk. Games
are great tools!
He helped a friend collect items on the game to sell on Ebay and send his
parents on the honeymoon they never took.
I've seen a parent allow their child to play then pull them back or
punish/ban the computer when they got too interested. Sad esp now no longer living at
home the kid plays anyway.
If as parents we find something we like would we want some telling us
"Ok,that's enough for today or "no you can't do that I don't like it"(or it's not
healthy)?
Listen to your child, then your heart, then others and with your information
you will know what's right for your child/family by openly talking about it.
**Here are some good reads...
http://sandradodd.com/videogames
Laura
Mom and friend of 4 ages 2-14
unschoolingmaine.com
Betsy Hill
**But it could also be making arrangements to take your kid to a
gaming convention or helping him set up a lan party or watching
related movies or, really, just taking an interest in the game and
chatting casually about it, asking questions about how it is played,
etc.**
I haven't actually thought about movies being related to videogames.
(Except the movies directly derived from games.)
What movies come to mind as being related to World of Warcraft? LOTR,
I suppose. Anything else come to mind?
Betsy
PS James and his dad are watching Men in Tights right now.
gaming convention or helping him set up a lan party or watching
related movies or, really, just taking an interest in the game and
chatting casually about it, asking questions about how it is played,
etc.**
I haven't actually thought about movies being related to videogames.
(Except the movies directly derived from games.)
What movies come to mind as being related to World of Warcraft? LOTR,
I suppose. Anything else come to mind?
Betsy
PS James and his dad are watching Men in Tights right now.
Pamela Sorooshian
There is a WOW movie project in progress - to be released in 2008.
There was a rumor that Stephen Spielberg was going to direct it - but
that is not true.
There is a list of videogame-related movies at wikipedia:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_movies_based_on_video_games>
Lots of Pokemon movies - also Mortal Kombat, Laura Croft, Final
Fantasy, ....
Also scroll down for a long list of videogame-based movies that are
in production - to be release next year or so.
-pam
There was a rumor that Stephen Spielberg was going to direct it - but
that is not true.
There is a list of videogame-related movies at wikipedia:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_movies_based_on_video_games>
Lots of Pokemon movies - also Mortal Kombat, Laura Croft, Final
Fantasy, ....
Also scroll down for a long list of videogame-based movies that are
in production - to be release next year or so.
-pam
On Jul 9, 2006, at 8:23 PM, Betsy Hill wrote:
> What movies come to mind as being related to World of Warcraft? LOTR,
> I suppose. Anything else come to mind?
Unschooling shirts, cups, bumper stickers, bags...
Live Love Learn
UNSCHOOL!
<http://www.cafepress.com/livelovelearn>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Michelle/Melbrigða
On 7/9/06, fullmoonfarm_mn <fullmoonfarm_mn@...> wrote:
(almost 14). Playing Kingdom Hearts (and KH2) has lead to Final
Fantasy, Full Metal Alchamist, several manga, Fruits Basket, the
desire to want to learn Japanese, a fascination with manga and anime,
the need to purchase help guides and searches for walk throughs. I
look at it as strewing in a way, but I don't think that it is
necessary. I think playing a game for entertainment's sake is enough.
I do think that article pertains to unschooling families. :-) One of
the problems with most articles written in mainstream publications
(whether online or in print).
I liken this to my reading a book. Sometimes I will read a really
good book and *need* to talk to someone about it, decompress, analyze,
relive, etc. and sometimes I just want to read the book because it is
fun to read. And then I may even read it a second time just for fun!
And then sometimes I will read the book, get to the end, feel complete
in that and ready to move on to something else.
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist
> The professor being interviewed states, "Parents must ensure thatEnsure? Hmmmm. My kids do these things themselves. Especially Emily
> kids play games proactively, that is, that they think about the
> design of the game, the types of thinking and strategies it
> recruits, its relationship to other games, books, movies, and the
> world around them."
>
(almost 14). Playing Kingdom Hearts (and KH2) has lead to Final
Fantasy, Full Metal Alchamist, several manga, Fruits Basket, the
desire to want to learn Japanese, a fascination with manga and anime,
the need to purchase help guides and searches for walk throughs. I
look at it as strewing in a way, but I don't think that it is
necessary. I think playing a game for entertainment's sake is enough.
I do think that article pertains to unschooling families. :-) One of
the problems with most articles written in mainstream publications
(whether online or in print).
I liken this to my reading a book. Sometimes I will read a really
good book and *need* to talk to someone about it, decompress, analyze,
relive, etc. and sometimes I just want to read the book because it is
fun to read. And then I may even read it a second time just for fun!
And then sometimes I will read the book, get to the end, feel complete
in that and ready to move on to something else.
--
Michelle
aka Melbrigða
http://eventualknitting.blogspot.com
[email protected] - Homeschooling for the Medieval Recreationist