What do I think about video games among students? I think video games are fun. I think many video games are violent. I think video games are addictive. I think excessive use of certain video games leads to aggressive behavior. I think that adolescents in a critical stage of development are isolating themselves in their use of video games at a time when they really need to be socializing and engaging in real-life problem solving. I think children are lacking gross motor and fine motor skills due to extended use of video games. I think that children’s use of video games should be strongly monitored and limited.
That said, I do hope to find a place for curriculum-related video games in my classroom. (Does anyone know of any good ones?) The fun aspect of video games motivates students. Combine that with higher order thinking skills, and it’s a recipe for success. Enjoying video games seems to be a commonality among students. In moderation, video games can effectively enhance learning. As a teacher, I will thoroughly review any video game that I used in the classroom. Any video game that is remotely violent has no place in my classroom.
I was really conflicted while writing this blog entry in an attempt to remain diplomatic. I like video games. I play video games. I think there are better ways to promote cooperation and effective learning among students. I very much want to be progressive in my teaching. Ideally, I will establish a successful balance among the teaching methods, including video games, I utilize in my classroom.
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9 comments:
Hey Kathleen,
What about those civilization type games, where students can learn about history, geography,economic, politics...but there is also violence, blood and gore because they will also have to wage/defend against attackers and wars? Would you include something like this in the classroom?
Later,
TG
Hi Tre,
I would choose to not use video games in my classroom if they include blood and gore. Children are very impressionable and may have difficulty distinguishing between "honorable" violence and violence in general.
~Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Your post pretty much summed up what I think of children video games in general. I too, want games that appropriate and display honorable behavior because children like to mimic the behavior of others, especially video games that display karate moves or gun use. I can't tell you how many times I'd see a students either imitating a karate move with another student or someone else holding his finger as a pistol as if wanting to shot his classmate. So, in all honestly I really do understand why you wouldn't premote that behavior at all.
Fihmiya
Fihmiya,
Thanks for your comment. I think you and I both approach video games with enthusiasm and caution. I have been doing some soul-searching in fear that I am turning into an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy!!
:)
Kathleen
Older versions of Civilization, like I and II, don't actually show the violence, but do offer a situation that results in a consequence. However, it doesn't show what actually happened. (By the way, you can choose to not display the violence in the other versions at the beginning of the game, if you choose) I also agree that video games with violence or blood have no place in my classroom. When my students create their video games in class, I won't allow them to use sprites for things like mummies blowing up, etc. I will let them create images like warriors or police, but if they want them to respond to a situation by "shooting", then they throw tomatoes at each other. I spend a whole day in my class talking about shooting, since this is a video game term. Kids think that shooting means "to point a gun and shoot someone", but shooting means to launch from one person/ship/etc to another, like marshmallows, or tomatoes. I don't condone person to person violence.
Hi Kathleen,
I love your opening paragraph. It captures very nicely my own thoughts regarding video games and adolescents. I'm kind of like you, hoping to find some curriculum-related ones; but I'm presently not very hopeful. I know what you mean re: remaining diplomatic. I'm struggling not to go over to the dark-side on this topic.
Victor
Hi Kathleen,
I think you and I are on the same page with video game use. I agree that children are so impressionable and many of these games would provide too many negative impressions which children in our society get enough of without us providing more in the classroom.
I also agree that video games are fun and I also enjoy (become addicted to) playing! If we could locate educational games that lack violence, blood and guts I do think there could be a place for them in the classroom.
Jill
Hi Kathleen,
I think you and I are on the same page with video game use. I agree that children are so impressionable and many of these games would provide too many negative impressions which children in our society get enough of without us providing more in the classroom.
I also agree that video games are fun and I also enjoy (become addicted to) playing! If we could locate educational games that lack violence, blood and guts I do think there could be a place for them in the classroom.
Jill
Hi Kathleen,
I don't agree with the use of video games in the classroom, but your idea of combining them with high order thinking skils can truly lead to something good. However, a part of me is still hesitant on this topic. I did think your idea of creating a balance between the video games and your everyday teaching is something that will result in a positive effect. Either way I believe there are some positive ways to look at it and then there are some negative ways, all in all, it's the teacher's choice which way outweighs the other. Great Post:)
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