Double Entry Post #1

Quote:
"Video games don’t just carry the potential to replicate a sophisticated scientific way of thinking. They actually externalize the way in which the human mind works and thinks in a better fashion than any other technology we have."
 

Reflection:
James Paul Gee's article "Why Are Video Games Good for Learning?" was both interesting and informative. While several statements within the text were interesting, the above quote really stuck out to me. I had never considered a video game as a way of externalizing the way the human mind works. However, after reading the article, I have a better understand how this could work. Within a classroom, you may have students who are not learning through "traditional" methods. Offering a video game alternative could reach students who simply think differently or provide a teacher with understanding as to how that student's mind works.

As I read this article, a particular student came to mind. An avid gamer, he struggles in school with social and problem-solving issues. I'm sure in his 'gaming world' he has no issues with this. How do get the students to make the connection between the gaming world and the real world? In the article Using Games to Bridge the Gap Between Scholarly and Practical Learning, Patricia Banyas addresses this question.

"The bridge between games and education is actually not hard to build if youconsider that the many characteristics that make an effective game also mirror goodcourse design. They both include structured activities with control over challenges where it is easy to isolate the activity, clear objectives for success, concrete meaningful feedback and a broad range of increasingly more difficult challenges."

Source:
Banyas, Patricia. "Using Games to Bridge the Gap Between Scholarly and Practical Learning ." www.academia.edu. May 4, 2005. Web. 27 Jan 2013. http://www.academia.edu/1111200/Using_games_to_bridge_the_gap_between_scholarly_and_practical_learning.

Gee, James Paul. "Why Are Video Games Good for Learning?." . N.p.. Web. 27 Jan 2013. .

Introduction - again :)

Hi! My name is Anita and I live in Braxton County. Currently, I am the financial secretary for Braxton County High and Middle Schools. Eventually, I hope to get a teaching job. In this class, I hope to learn about ways to make lessons more exciting for my future students.

I suppose you could say that I'm a gamer; however, my husband is the real (more addicted) gamer in the family.  Call of Duty is on our TV more than actual television shows. I play games because I find them relaxing and enjoy the interaction more than just watching TV. I am conflicted about kids and gaming. As with everything, there should be a balance of how much time they spend with games and what they are being exposed to. Currently, my 8-year old is addicted to Minecraft; however, she has been having trouble with reading and spelling. To hopefully combat her addiction and aid with reading and spelling, I've downloaded some educational apps to her iPad - that way, she can play and learn. My husband is busy teaching my son hand-eye coordinator through the fine art of Playstation controllers (or so I like to tell myself...).

Positive and Negatives Effects of Video Games highlights both the good and bad of gaming. I enjoyed it because it didn't just point out the negative and gave helpful tips on types of games.

The year was 1975. As I emerged from my mother, I was able to watch a new game show that had just premiered called Wheel of Fortune. Space Mountain opened at Magic Kingdom in Disney World - it would be 37 years before I was able to ride it. Ok...perhaps those aren't major events. However, in 1975, the Watergate Scandal was drawing to a close with the conviction and sentencing of Former US Attorney John Mitchell. Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft. And the Vietnam War ended with the Fall of Saigon.