My Gaming Experience

Describe your personal/classroom experience:

I don't think I would classify myself as a "gamer"!  While I love to play games on my iPad or phone (mostly Candy Crush, Bejeweled Blitz, and Solitaire ;o)), I don't really have any experience with the gaming world!  My kids are becoming experts in gaming and I'm amazed that they are able to do things so naturally, without fear or hesitation.  I know that many of my students love to play games and several have asked about playing Minecraft in school.  I've watched my sons play the game at home and I guess I'm just not clear on the point of playing.  

I do think that games and simulations can and should have a place in the classroom.  Our science and social studies teachers use simulations with different units of study, but they aren't exclusively using technology in their simulations.  The experiences that I'm thinking of involve our junior high students becoming members of the Continental Congress and participating in the creation of the Constitution.  They each assumed the role of a key member of the Congress and they continued to portray that person in their online environment.  I do think that they enjoyed the experience!  Our science teacher and I created a similar experience with a science topic.  Students were creating a museum exhibit for a new species and they assumed the role of the scientist (along with other roles) and worked on creating a virtual museum exhibit of their new species complete with video, maps, and other artifacts.  

In what ways do you think games could be beneficial/detrimental in the learning process?

As with any technology, if the outcome of the activity supports the learning goals, then it can be beneficial.  I seems to me that gaming and/or simulation activities allow students to use other areas of expertise (or different intelligences they may have) and they can bring different things to the classroom situation.  For those students who have a hard time in class, participating in these simulations offers them a more level playing field with other students.  

Technology, not used in the correct way, can always be a detriment.  If teachers don't have well established reasoning for using the games/simulations, then problems may occur.  As with any device or program, the teacher should be well aware of how it works and be ready to troubleshoot when necessary.  I've had teachers before who have come to me with apps they want to use, and then want me to explain it to them.  If I've not used the app before, I still have to get to know it.  I always tell them to download it first and then use it for a while before asking students to jump in.

Not all students are going to be interested in using games and/or simulations, so they need to be integrated into the curriculum carefully!