Conclusion

As future teachers, we are all thinking of ways to make our lessons more exciting and engaging. Do you think you will incorporate gaming into your classrooms? What is your reasoning for your answer? How do you plan to incorporate gaming into your lesson and what are the benefits in doing so?

-Breeyn

Negative Aspects

Although we have been focusing on the positive aspects of gaming, it isn’t always seen as beneficial. Find a source of your own (website, video, blog, etc.) that discusses the negative side of gaming in classrooms. How do you think these negativities cloud your future use of gaming? Is there any way to surpass these negative aspects? If so, how?

-Breeyn

Mini vs Complex

Marc Prenksy also developed two different types of categories that games fit under, mini-games and complex games. This idea obviously suggests that there are significant differences between games. Browse through this article and discuss, in detail, what the major differences are between complex and mini-games. Also try to categorize some of the games that you play and explain your reasoning for doing so.

-Breeyn

Students’ Perspectives of Gaming

Incorporating games into classrooms has been a controversial issue for sometime. Many cannot see the benefits they may bring, and only see them as a source of entertainment rather than educational. Watch the following video that takes students’ perspectives on gaming. Do you think these gamers’ reasoning for gaming is educational based or for entertainment purposes only? What are the negative aspects that this video doesn’t touch upon? Please explain your answer.

 

 

 

~Ashley

Prensky’s 7 Games

Marc Prensky is an acclaimed public speaker who focuses primarily on education and learning. He is also an author and producer of several different types of educational software games. Read his article titled, “The Seven Games of Highly Effective People,” .Comment on what you found interesting and important in the article, and then tell why. Also, dare to disagree with something, giving your opinion and reasoning for this discrepancy.

 

 

~Ashley

Engaging Games

There are several educational games that are offered online that teachers can use within their classrooms that are based on certain ELA skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, and parts of speech.  Go to funbrain and  choose a game to play.  After playing your chosen game, talk a little about what you were required to do and share how this game fits under the 12 reasons of “Why Games Engage Us”by Marc Prensky.

 

 

~Ashley

Introduction to Gaming

When people think of the term game, they often tend to associate it with recreational fun. Today there are several different types of games, anything ranging from but are not limited to the traditional board games as well as video games.  However, gaming can be used to help stimulate thought, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, all in which would help to further student’s learning abilities.  James Paul Gee, a professor and author, comments of the advantages of video gaming saying, “The fact is when kids play video games they can experience a much more powerful form of learning than when they’re in the classroom.  Learning isn’t about memorizing isolated facts.  It’s about connecting and manipulating them.” Not only are video games as well as other types multiplying the amount of educational games produced each year, but more and more studies have started to show their educational benefits by integrating these within classrooms across the nation.  Try to decide upon a favorite game of your own, within reason.  Is there anything that you have learned from that game that benefits you as a student or even a particpant of society? (research your game and see if there are any documented benefits the game has to offer) Is there any way that you would incorporate that into your future classroom?  If so, how will you incorporate it and why?  If not, then please explain your reasoning.

 

 

~Ashley