Teens, Games and Civics

Teens, Games and Civics

3 things I learned:

1.      I knew teens played a lot of video games but I had no idea how many varieties.  80% of teens play five or more different game genres, and 40% play eight or more types of games. 

2.      I was surprised to learn the majority of most popular games are not violent. 
3.      I am not sure how I feel about the next thing I learned, “Teens who play games with others in the room exhibit more civic participation.”

 2 things I agree with:

1.      I agree and was not shocked to learn that the industry rating system does not always work.  32% of gaming teens report that at least one of their favorite games is rated mature or adults only. 

2.      I agree that there are many genres of games that are more broadly popular than others, some of which lead themselves to group play. 

 1 question you have

1.      I am not sure my question is a question, but why don’t parents pay more attention to what their children are doing?  I myself don’t have children but when I watch my cousins or friends children I always know what they are watching and/or playing. 

Are Video Games Making Kids Smarter?

Are Video Games Making Kids Smarter?

3 things I learned:

1.      I had never heard of the Flynn affect which is the pattern that human intelligence is actually raising over time.  Peoples IQ’s are rising. 

2.      I was very shocked by the following fact: “50% of all innovation, and 70% of Global 2000’s apps will be gamified by 2015” - Gartner

3.      I learned and agree with the statement get out and go play.  Parent should play with their kids and if it’s video games they choose then parents need to learn the game too. 

2 things I agree with:

1.      I agree that games are wired to produce pleasure.  I had never really thought about it like this but once I heard Mr. Zichermann said it I really feel it makes sense.  Games are produced to make people happy.

2.      I agree that a game based curriculum could be useful.  I feel games are good in moderation.  Students feel games are fun therefore educational games are fun too.   

1 question you have

1.      If gaming is so educational why are we not using it more in the classrooms?  I remember playing math games in elementary but do that do that anymore? 

Your Brain on Video Games

Your Brain on Video Games

3 things I learned:

1.      An action gamer’s vision is better than a non-action gamer’s vision à better at resolving small detail in clutter and resolving different levels of gray

2.      Action video games can increase processing skills (attention)
3.      During her research she can force someone to play an action game and increase their vision

2 things I agree with:

1.      Not all media is created equal

2.      Action game players have better attention for example ability to track objects all around them

1 question I have:

1.      Has the point where action gaming becomes too much been found or studied?  When is enough enough?

Double Entry Journal 2

Once again the assigned article has opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about gaming.  I had never considered many of the principles.  After reading the article it was much easier to relate the principles to Gardens of Time and other games I have played.  This is a different way to compare video games and their content. 

I would have to say Gardens of Time is an interactive game.  If the player isn’t actively completing the quests and searching for the hidden items then they will not get anywhere on the game.  The point is to find the hidden objects.  This leads to completion of the quests along with some minor decorating.  Gardens of Time also requires interaction with other people who play the game.  This is important for completing some of the quests such as visiting neighbors and building the Wonders.

The principle of risk taking is loosely found in Gardens of Times.  The player has the ability to replay scenes as long as they have energy.  This allows them to take risks by using the clues.  Then the next time they play the scene they don’t need the clues because they already know where the hidden objects are.

Gardens of Time also demonstrated well-order problems.  Each new quest builds off of a previous one.  For example one of the first quests is to visit Lulu.  She is the neighbor all players have in common.  This character was created by the inventors in order to demonstrate the helpfulness of having neighbors in the game.  The neighbors can be used for several things including collecting gifts, sending energy, and helping build Wonders.  The next quest in the series could be visiting five neighbors and collecting rewards.

Challenge and consolidation is also one of the principles this game incorporates.  Chapter 1 starts with less difficult searches.  The number of items you must find and the difficulty of finding the items increase with every story and chapter.  The player must master one story in order to reach the next and continue to the next chapter.  Each search is a little more difficult and must be played several times in order to receive the stars required to help the player move on and complete more quests. 

The “Just in Time” and “On Demand” principles are also found in Gardens of Time.  Each time a new quest, chapter, or story is unlocked the player is given a little more information they will need.  For example in Gardens of Time as the first few stories are unlocked a different in-game character is revealed.  This allows the player to slowly learn about the game and its characters.  These characters help throughout the quests and stories.  They are intended to help the player become more familiar with the background story the game presents. 

The principle of “explore, think laterally, rethink goals” defiantly applies to Gardens of Time.  In order to get higher scores and unlock new chapters the player must master the chapters that are available.  This is done by playing the chapter over and over.  The more you repeat a chapter the better you become at finding the hidden clues which leads to higher scores.  Higher scores lead to completing and unlocking new quests.  The entire process allows the player to explore and think before heading to a new chapter. 

Double Entry Journal #1

I would have to say the article “Why are videogames good for learning?” by James Paul Gee made me really think about video games.  The author made a lot of good points that I had not thought of.  For instance the pattern recognition in games such as the one we are playing for class Gardens of Time.  He also mentioned that many games are goal oriented which is something else I had not considered.  In a roundabout way he also mentioned the coordination involved in playing certain games.  These points are defiantly pros for gaming and learning.

I like the author’s analogies because they really hit home to me.  For example the following quote, “So, though video games and scientific simulations are not the same thing, video game can, under the right circumstances, encourage and actually enact a similar “attitude” or “stance” (Gee n.d., p. 6).  I chose this quote because this section intrigued me.  As a scientist I have used a virtual simulator to mimic results I might obtain in the lab.  I had never thought about the relationship between a virtual lab and games.  After reading this article I have a new understanding for gaming.  I can see the usefulness and would love to play a game where I could do science experiments without some of the mess.  I also feel this type of game or simulator would be great for a classroom.  It would allow the students to perform more difficult experiments without the danger they present.  There would also be reduced cost in materials.

The related blog post I chose is from a news blog called Scientific America and is titled Using Virtual Worlds and Video Games to Teach the Lessons of Reality.   This article relates to the assigned article because it discusses a school that uses a “multi-user virtual environment” in its classrooms.  One simulation portrays diseases and simulates how they can be spread.  While another portrays and alien visitation and the students have to work as a team to investigate.  These methods are praised because many low-performing students do well on these assignments because they are able to immerse themselves in the digital world.   

Gee, J.P. (n.d.) Why are video games good for learning? Retrieved from:             http://www.academiccolab.org/resources/documents/MacArthur.pdf

Greenemeier, L. (2009, Jan. 1). Using virtual worlds and video games to teach the lessons of        reality. Retrieved from: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=using-  virtual-worlds-and-video-game-2009-01-01 

 

 

Week 2 Post 1 – Gardens of Time

This is not the first time I have played this game.  I used to play it on Facebook everyone once in a while.  The game is the same both on Google and Facebook.  The scenes are the same along with the items you find and the quests you complete. 

I find this game fun because I enjoy finding the hidden images.  I appreciate puzzle and strategy games.  They are much easier to play on a computer because I don’t have to worry about losing pieces or cleaning-up.  I also like this game because there is not any violence.

 

I don’t feel this game has a lot of educational value I feel a student would enjoy playing it.  While playing they would be working on skills such as: hand-eye coordination and memory. 

Intro Post for EDUC 6814

Greetings All!  My name is Jana and I’m working on my Masters of the Arts of Teaching (MAT).  I will be certified to teach high school chemistry.  In the past I taught a general chemistry laboratory at FSU and had a blast.  I am excited to be completing my student teaching this semester at East Fairmont High.  I cannot wait to put some of my ideas into action with my students.

I chose this class because the course description interested me and I want to learn more ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.  I wanted to choose a class that would keep my interest because I know I will be busy with student teaching.  After reading the syllabus I feel I have chosen the right class and will not have to “work” instead I will enjoy what I’m learning. 

I am not currently a huge gamer but I have been in the past.  I don’t seem to have the free time I used to which is something I hear a lot of other people say.  I have always been a fan of solitary on the computer, phone, IPod, IPad, etc.  I enjoy the game with cards but electronics make it easier.  In my “younger years” I played a computer game called Zoo Tycoon.  My best friend, at the time, would spend hours playing that game.  We lived in a small town and did not really have any other way of occupying our time when we couldn’t go outside. 

My feelings about kids and video games change depending on the circumstances.  There are some games that are educational and the child is actually learning while they are playing.  I feel these types of video games are helpful for students.  Technology is becoming more important in today’s society so children should be exposed to it with limits.  On the other hand some children do nothing but play video games.  Generally these games are not educational but violent.  I am not completely against this type of games but I feel its use should be limited.  I guess my overall position would be video games are acceptable but should be limited regardless of the type of game.  As with anything I feel a case by case decision would be appropriate for a given specific situation. 

When searching the topic of the effect of video games on children’s learning I came across a blog called Science Blogs™.  The post was about a study conducted in Chile in 2002.  The study contained three groups of first and second grade students.  The first group was taught a lesson using a video game, the second group knew about the video game but was taught using a lecture, while the third group was in a different school, knew nothing about the video game, and was taught the same lesson.  I decided to link to this post because I found it interesting and relative.  I have read other posts in this blog before and was surprised to find one related to the topic I was studying. 

In 1984 ...

…Ronald Reagan (Republican) defeated Walter Mondale (Democrat) in the United States Presidential Election.

… The AIDS virus was discovered.

… The first megabit chip was made at Bell Labs.

…On Dec. 29 I was born!