When I was going throught the public school system, I remember computers always being available. Starting in grade school we would go to the library at least once a week and play a game on the computer. Other times if we had a project that we were doing we would hand write our paper and then type out the final copy on the computer. When in middle school we were still always learning on computers. We would perform research for projects and then the lab was also available before and after school if we needed to use a computer for homework. Once I got to high school it was a given that you knew how to use a computer. At the beginning of the year we had a library tour and a short instruction about the computers, that was it. The library was always open for students to use the computers for whatever they needed. There were also keyboarding and drafting classes offered to help students improve their experience with computers.
I think that as time goes on, computer experience becomes more important. As teachers, we are supposed to be preparing our students for the real world and surviving. It has come to the point that if you don't understand today's technology, then you aren't going to last. The use of technology needs to be pushed into schools. Children need to be able to work with computers not only at home but also in school.
Some kids don't have computers at home, mostly because of financial reasons. This makes it more of a necessity for students to have the computer access at school. If schools can't dinance this type of requirement, there are sources out there where you can buy used computers or even fundraise for them. Not exposing these children to today's technology will hurt them in the future. I hope all schools and districts realize this, so that today's children will survive in today's world.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Video Games and Education
I think that video games can be incorporated into schools withut taking the place of traditinal instruction. From our readings we have learned that wideo games are a strategic story that we have to figure out. If bringing video games into the classroom, they would need to be a game that is challanging. When I was in frade school, we would go to the library a couple of times a week and play the computer game "Oregon Trail." It was a game that made you make health and money decisions while traveling along the Oregon Trail. I loved it because at the time I just saw it as playing a video game, but now that I look back, I realize that it was teaching me how to prioritize and watch my spending. i believe that as a teacher you have to be very careful when incorporating video games into your lesson plans by making sure that the information tou are trying to convey is pertinent to the lesson.
I actually feel that the majority of principles that Gee mentions about video games are lacking in education. I think that sometimes 'identity' is lacking in education because the intensity of identity is dependent on how into the subject you are. For example, most students aren't into learning about shakespearean characters, but if there was a video game that incorporated those characters where they could build their own character, I think that would beneit a student alot more. Identity also ties in with being more hands on. It is a lot more interesting to create a character rather than just read about them in a book. 'Interaction' is also definately missing especially when it comes to homework. Yes, in classrooms you interact with teachers and other students, but that is mainly only through discussion. The word 'game' always sparks and interest in someone's brain, so when an interactive game is incorporated, students will show more interest. Video games also require 'on-demand decisions.' When playing a video game there are times when you have only two seconds to make a decision or else you will die. I feel like this not only relates to decisions in the classroom but also decisions that you will face in everyday life.
I feel like video games and education can be a good mix. As a teacher, I feel that you should lay out the rules and the idea behind incorporating these two areas. Speaking from a students perspective I feel like students will enjoy class a lot more, and teachers will see a suprising improvement in the amount of comprehension their students have for a subject.
I actually feel that the majority of principles that Gee mentions about video games are lacking in education. I think that sometimes 'identity' is lacking in education because the intensity of identity is dependent on how into the subject you are. For example, most students aren't into learning about shakespearean characters, but if there was a video game that incorporated those characters where they could build their own character, I think that would beneit a student alot more. Identity also ties in with being more hands on. It is a lot more interesting to create a character rather than just read about them in a book. 'Interaction' is also definately missing especially when it comes to homework. Yes, in classrooms you interact with teachers and other students, but that is mainly only through discussion. The word 'game' always sparks and interest in someone's brain, so when an interactive game is incorporated, students will show more interest. Video games also require 'on-demand decisions.' When playing a video game there are times when you have only two seconds to make a decision or else you will die. I feel like this not only relates to decisions in the classroom but also decisions that you will face in everyday life.
I feel like video games and education can be a good mix. As a teacher, I feel that you should lay out the rules and the idea behind incorporating these two areas. Speaking from a students perspective I feel like students will enjoy class a lot more, and teachers will see a suprising improvement in the amount of comprehension their students have for a subject.
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