While I was reading this chapter I was having hard time thinking whether computer games as resource learning is effective at all. I have a kindergarten who owns an ipad and I recently deleted the ABC Mouse app because I didn't feel that it was helping my son at all. He was more worried about winning and going to the next level then actually paying attention and learning the words. It was quite interesting when I found out that my son's school is actually using ABC Mouse for computer lab time. Maybe it was just the educational program game that we as parents and future teachers must evaluate and consider if its effective. The three concepts that I found very useful from this chapter is Computer Games as Learning Resources, Evaluating Computer and Video Games and Strategies for using Games with Students.
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1)Computer Games as Learning Resources:
"Computer games are computer, video, and web-based game software applications that are immensely popular among children and adolescents today" (Maloy, 3013). Since technology is taking over each following year and we see that now children starting from young age own a smart phone or tablet or any digital device this idea of computer games is starting to be added in the school system. Its nice to see that school is keeping up with their students with technology but is it really more effective as just traditional ways of teaching? When I was in high school my government teacher had this jeopardy game involving questions about presidents and law system and many other government related questions and it was very effective and fun. We did in groups of four and we actually learned while we were having fun and socializing. When it came to test most of the class passed accept those who were absent most of the time. I guess since in the future everything is going to be mostly done in computer its good that children start practicing their computer skills at a young age.
2) Evaluating Computer and Video Games is the most important concept that I found because like I mentioned at the beginning we need to evaluate this educational games and see how effective they are because I believe that some might not be effective. The textbook gives a good way to make the evaluation by using a game continuum chart. "You can place computer and video games as well as phone and tablet apps on the chart based on their learning goals and the thinking skills they emphasize as part of the game play" (Maloy, 2013). The games are placed on top of three game type which is Entertainment, Edutainment and Educational. I believe way to evaluate a game is having the student test it and the teacher supervising it and testing the student on what she/he learned.
3) Strategies for using Games with students:
Its not easy finding an educational game which will keep the students motivated and not get bored out of it which is something likely to happen with children. The textbook give strategies that can help teachers with the use of effective games for their students. It mentions four strategies which are to minimize the use of games that teach isolated skills, scrutinize games that functions solely on points won or lost, discuss games and their content and last is to play games together. The most trouble kind of games that I find is those that function on points won or lost. I had that problem with my son. He was more worried about not losing and since he is very competitive he would get so obsessed in winning that he wasn't learning the important stuff.
Resources:
Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HTS2nxpRqM
Gaming in education brings up many issues - some positive, some not so much. Ultimately, as you mention, we need to determine that the game has some validity for learning. If it is to be educationally effective (and many that 'sell' themselves that way very well may NOT be!), then they have to be engaging! Monitoring the use of any game is important (whether it be video/computer oriented or physical!). As a parent of a 5 yr old (and a future teacher), you will have MANY experiences to come. :)
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