"To effectively transfer learners’ motivation from playing to learning, teachers must repeatedly play a given game and design rigorous learning activities that correspond to the game. Only through this investment can the learner unveil the layers of the game design and connect game-related elements to curriculum-related matters, especially when the function of most game designs is to entertain and engage players, not to educate them."
Reflection:
This quote stuck with me because I think that it is important that educators realize that there is more to using a gaming literacies in a classroom than simply sitting a student in front of a game. While the game may provide the initial motivation, teachers need to design learning activities around the game to enhance student learning. Teachers need to provide students with the opportunity to reflect on their gaming experience and collaborate with peers. Recently, I have been playing several word games with my daughter. I am trying to "sneak" learning into her. The fact that we're using her iPad to play a game motivates her, but if I don't follow that motivation up with discussion about spelling rules or why one answer is correct and another isn't, she can miss the whole point of the experience.
I came across this video while I was searching for information about learning design. While it doesn't really have anything to do with game design, I really liked the message and thought I'd share it anyway.
Then I found "What does Game-based learning Offer Higher Education?" Still not really related...but I was on a roll :)
I agree with what you said about the quote, it is important for educators to realize there is more to incorporating a game in the classroom then simply sitting a student in front of the computer screen and saying have at it. In order for a student to truly understand the game and learn from it they must understand what they are trying to achieve when playing.
ReplyDeleteI like that you are “sneaking” learning into your daughter’s life. I think it is important to start learning at an early age and continue that learning throughout your life. I’m sure your daughter is motivated by the IPad so it’s great that you are teaching her to use it wisely. Not only is she learning to spell she is learning to use her resources wisely.
I am working on my response at school so I cannot view your links, but I will check them out when I get home. Thanks for sharing.
This video has a lot to with gaming because good games create environments where people can learn from mistakes unlike schools were people are often penalized and stigmatized if they make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI too like that you are "sneaking" learning into your daughter's life. It is important for her to see the usefulness that technology can bring.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment of the article. Just providing games for students to learn from is not enough; the educational goals of the game need to match up with the subjects being taught well. Your TED link was interesting. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI like your concept of designing instruction around the video game rather than relying solely on the game itself. I like your video resource that discussed the fact that information was stored in books at school and moved to encyclopedias in the home to what we now have, which is the Internet. Never thought about that aspect of education and how information has become more accessible to people.
ReplyDeleteI agree that you cannot just sit students in front of a game and expect it to teach them. It isn't a babysitter or an opportunity for the teacher to work on something else. The gaming experience will only be worthwhile if the teacher is engaged with the students while they are playing; talking about how the game relates to what they are learning about.
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