“But, gaming cannot or should not be conceived as something which
in and by itself will make learning more meaningful, fun or pleasurable.”
I
think gaming in itself does make learning more fun and pleasurable, but I agree
that gaming should not be the only tool utilize in a classroom. Kids need more
than just games and interactive playing situations that enhance instruction and
learning. Students need one-on-one and sometimes direct instruction to help
advance the learning and understanding of a concept. Yes, games can make
learning more meaningful, fun and pleasurable. However, a class should not be
focused around games. It should be focused around the experience of learning
through multiple means.
“There is some evidence indicating that students do better when
learning tasks are embedded in a context of gameplay rather than, for example,
a paper and pencil test.”
Students
are able to be creative and interactive with learning when playing a game,
rather than the cut and dry method of paper and pencil. Games give a more
summation approach to preparing students for the next topic/concept (students
are not able to advance to the next level, if they have not mastered the level
that they are on). Paper and pencil tests are just pass and fail, while gaming
allows for repetitive attempts at a level they haven’t mastered yet.
Personally, I believe the education system should be set-up like this. A
student has to repeat a “grade” until he/she has mastered the concepts for that
“level” of learning.
“When the focus is on the activity, gameplay is constituted as
something you do and not something you just read or watch.”
Games
allow students to be an active part of learning and not just absorbers of it. If
students are involved in their learning, they are more engaged and apt to want
to learn more. Learning is contagious, when a student feels accomplishment and
pride in what he/she has been able to master. I believe when we took away
reward-day from schools, we took away the small accomplishment for perfect
attendance record or 4.0 GPA. People, not just students, want to be rewarded
for what they have done. Recognition is the number one motivator of people.
Other Resource:
I chose the video below because it talks about the 21st Century tools and technology and what it means to teach in this growing digital world. It also discusses the fact that students need to have the freedom and ability to create and explore, instead of given the information they need to memorize for the test.
Other Resource:
I chose the video below because it talks about the 21st Century tools and technology and what it means to teach in this growing digital world. It also discusses the fact that students need to have the freedom and ability to create and explore, instead of given the information they need to memorize for the test.
Mathipedia. (2010, October 24). Teaching in the
21st Century. Retrieved from Youtube.com:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTIBDR4Dn2g
I believe we picked two of the same quotes. I agree that gameplay can make learning more fun; however, we need to make sure that students are actually learning. I agree that rewards can be a great motivator. At the middle school I work at, we have an Academic Pep Rally at the end of the first semester. The Mountaineer came as the guest speaker and students who made the honor roll all semester were called down and got to run through a "tunnel" made by the teachers. Additionally, prizes were given out ranging from a picture with the Mountaineer, state college wear and gear, to a Nook and an iPod touch. The students really enjoyed it and appreciated being recognized for achievements in academics.
ReplyDeleteI agree that students should be able to work on a concept until they master it. I like that video games give students that opportunity to repeat a level until they are ready to move on. School should be more like that; you don't just fail something and move on. There should be reteaching, more practice, and more opportunities to master it.
ReplyDeleteSchools use to be set up like that. Holding students back a grade was a common practice. However, what games do that schools do not is they provide the support structures for achieving success. For example game adjust the level of difficulty so that students do not get overwhelmed or experience too much failure that often result in students giving up. Also games do a much better job at providing feedback and on demand instruction that lead to success instead of failure. If we want schools to be more like games we need to adopt ALL the good learning practices that make-up good games.
ReplyDeleteGaming is a great opportunity for reteach and practice. Good gaming even gives more opportunities for corrections. I agree that it shouldn't be the only tool,but there it can be a good tool.
ReplyDeleteYou selected very good quotes from the reading. I also like your reflections on them because you backed-up what you thought and why you chose the quote. I too think gaming makes learning more fun but it doesn’t replay a teacher or textbook. I feel a game is more for reinforcing a topic students have already learned by applying or seeing what they learned. I would also have to agree with your second quote because I myself have test anxiety and no matter how well I know the material when you sit me down with paper and pencil I freeze. I see this happen with my students too so incorporating a game as evaluation is a different way to test your students. I know this would be helpful for me and probably my students too. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete