http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/ Thoughts on Digital Media and History Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:38:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-196 Lee Ann ghajar Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:39:45 +0000 http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-196 You know, there's a totally unsubstantiated theory, undoubtedly fueled by people with segmented mathematics skills, that there are "geometry people" and "algebra people." The idea is that the one group neither likes nor excels at the subject matter of the other. I am wondering if Myst appeals to "geometry people" and the patterning and proofs are simply tedious to "algebra people." Or, maybe I just like it because I'm no good at games requiring speed and manual dexterity and I really don't like role-playing, violence, or creating and interacting in an imaginary environment. I only care about the story of Myst as far as it interweaves with the puzzles. That's one weird family, but what a fabulous environment they live in. You know, there’s a totally unsubstantiated theory, undoubtedly fueled by people with segmented mathematics skills, that there are “geometry people” and “algebra people.” The idea is that the one group neither likes nor excels at the subject matter of the other. I am wondering if Myst appeals to “geometry people” and the patterning and proofs are simply tedious to “algebra people.” Or, maybe I just like it because I’m no good at games requiring speed and manual dexterity and I really don’t like role-playing, violence, or creating and interacting in an imaginary environment. I only care about the story of Myst as far as it interweaves with the puzzles. That’s one weird family, but what a fabulous environment they live in.

]]> http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-190 veprek.com » Blog Archive » Is interactivity always a good thing? Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:38:22 +0000 http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-190 [...] my comments on Tad’s blog, Ken’s Historiarum, and on Maureen’s [...] [...] my comments on Tad’s blog, Ken’s Historiarum, and on Maureen’s [...]

]]> http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-189 Laura Veprek Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:36:54 +0000 http://historiarum.org/2007/04/09/gaming-and-learning/#comment-189 Ken-I find it interesting that you seem to agree with or support Gee's argument. Maybe I'll have to take a look at that part about Tomb Raider. To echo what I've said on my own blog and in other comments, I really believe that while there may be things that one can learn while playing a video game, this method should not become the preferred method, or even a primary one. It's a game! Not only do I believe that education shouldn't demean itself to have to become "fun" to get and retain students' interest, I also would hate to see games become purely educational. I happen to like an escape from time to time, and I would really hate to think I'm learning something while doing it. (yes, I am laughing a little) But still... as to what you said about Myst, I would wholeheartedly agree. Man, slow and tedious indeed. I still don't get what I'm supposed to do. I haven't made it past the first stop and I've clicked on everything I could find to click on. I just don't get it. It's like what Josh Brown said in his article about users of the Lost Museum: "...teachers and students who gleefully clicked on different 3-D exhibits but professed utter bewilderment about the significance of what they found." Yup, that's me. But the glee only lasted about an hour, then I got irritated and quit the game. I promise to give it another shot. Ken-I find it interesting that you seem to agree with or support Gee’s argument. Maybe I’ll have to take a look at that part about Tomb Raider. To echo what I’ve said on my own blog and in other comments, I really believe that while there may be things that one can learn while playing a video game, this method should not become the preferred method, or even a primary one. It’s a game! Not only do I believe that education shouldn’t demean itself to have to become “fun” to get and retain students’ interest, I also would hate to see games become purely educational. I happen to like an escape from time to time, and I would really hate to think I’m learning something while doing it. (yes, I am laughing a little) But still… as to what you said about Myst, I would wholeheartedly agree. Man, slow and tedious indeed. I still don’t get what I’m supposed to do. I haven’t made it past the first stop and I’ve clicked on everything I could find to click on. I just don’t get it. It’s like what Josh Brown said in his article about users of the Lost Museum: “…teachers and students who gleefully clicked on different 3-D exhibits but professed utter bewilderment about the significance of what they found.” Yup, that’s me. But the glee only lasted about an hour, then I got irritated and quit the game. I promise to give it another shot.

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