Video Games in Learning - Laptop Leaders Academy

sticky idea?

video games help to rewire brains

this is Erin

this is Jake

they think history is boring

they’re not so fond of science, math or English either

and they’re not alone

“I have to power down when I get to school.” HS student

so what?

“Today’s students are no longer the people our educational system was designed to teach.” Marc Prensky

“If you wanted to create an educational environment that was directly opposed to what the brain is good at doing . . .

“. . . you would probably design something like a modern classroom.” John Medina Brain Rules

yeah . . . so?

sometimes we’re just too close to it

Tic Tac Toe

Pong

Galaga

SimCity

World of Warcraft

games haven’t gotten simpler over time

they’ve gotten more complex

Why?

because the brain demands it

“The brain developed to solve problems relating to surviving in an unstable, outdoor environment and to do so in near constant motion.” John Medina Brain Rules

can I eat it?

can it eat me?

can I have sex with it?

what then . . . is your job?

convince a middle school kid that a five paragraph essay is essential for her survival

brains search for patterns

brains work best when emotional chemicals are increased

brains want to work with others

games provide “tasty patterns of reality”

games create emotional connections

games encourage collaborative learning

games become about “survival”

“Better theories of learning are embedded in the video games many children play than in the schools they attend.” James Gee What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Literacy & Learning

Grand Theft Childhood Lawrence Kutner How Computer Games Help Children Learn David Williamson Shaffer Don’t Bother Me, Mom -- I’m Learning! Marc Prensky

whatcha thinkin’?

Saving P rivate Ry an of H onor M edal

S Hi story A PU

let’s play a little! but . . . be thinking about learning theory

www.socialstudiescentral.com

www.stopdisastersgame.org

magic.pen.fizzlebot.com

what are the characteristics of a highly effective learning environment?

students get to “mod” & make choices students become the experts creativity & problem solving are encouraged receive immediate feedback

there’s always an answer “cheating” is supported trial and error works best learning is almost always better in groups

German Coast Guard?

what are you “zinking” about?

World F armer Third

na noq uest

Trave ler IQ

what’s “true” about video games?

“All child drug addicts . . . are comic-book readers. This kind of thing is not good mental nourishment for children!” Fredric Wertham, Seduction of the Innocent, 1954

gaming myths?

www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

scientific evidence links violence and video games www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

scientific evidence links violence and video games it’s mostly teenage boys www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

scientific evidence links violence and video games it’s mostly teenage boys gaming creates isolated loners www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

“mini” & complex games are the same www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

“mini” & complex games are the same it’s just a fad www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

secondlife.reuters.com

so what kinds of things can games do?

• increase literacy skills • teach problem solving skills • simulate authentic situations

• creates individualized learning • encourage collaboration • supports intellectual complexity

what kinds of stuff should I think about?

it takes time • what are you willing to give up?

it takes time • what are you willing to give up? standards alignment • games are just a tool

takes money • hardware / software / computer upgrades

takes money • hardware / software / computer upgrades technology issues • not enough stations or “power” • appropriate games • apple vs. PC

peer “pressure” • tech people, admin, parents, teachers

peer “pressure” • tech people, admin, parents, teachers assessment issues • PBL rubrics, participation grade, presentations & written work

quick start? read about games play a favorite game ask your kids about their games start with online “mini” games

what’s your elevator speech?

\"People do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.\" Oliver Wendell Holmes

need a great presentation? contact: Glenn Wiebe glennw@essdack.org socialstudiescentral.com historytech.wordpress.com View presentations at: slideshare.net/glennw98

Video Games in Learning - Laptop Leaders Academy

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