Kelsey Kolojejchick
Video games and technology are a fact of life for many American children, but is this lifestyle helpful for their learning abilities or a setback? The author of “Serious fun with computer games” claims that sophisticated computer-based play can engage more students and support learning in schools. He believes that with the correct technology and useful purpose of these games, children will have a better understanding of concepts than those who did not use video games. The author of “TV viewing, Video game play contributes to kids’ attention problems” claims that TV, video games and technology are associated with increased attention problems in children. They believe that video games can create bad habits for children as well as expose them to a higher chance of obtaining attention problems. Each author has a different viewpoint where one believes computer-based play is educational for students while the other author believes it leads to attention problems and poor habits for young children.
The author or “Serious fun with computer games” focuses mainly on the good mechanics of a video game that can help support learning in schools. He focuses on the message a video game is trying to convey to determine how effective they are towards young students. If the message is not entertaining, it can lose the interests of young students. If the message is entertaining but not educational it will lose its purpose to benefit students in school. The UK government's education department and a software publishers' association, found that students whose lessons included interactive games were more engaged in curriculum content and demonstrated deeper understanding of concepts (Krotoski). Broadening the appeal of these video games is crucial to determine its success rate because it needs to be believable for the student and not over dazzle the student because they will not retain any knowledge. The education video game if planned and produced correctly will help the development of young students for our future.
The author of “TV viewing, Video game play contributes to kids’ attention problems” shows research explaining that young kids that play video games are more likely to have attention problems growing up. The habits young children get by watching TV or playing video games transfers to attention problems at home with parents and attention problems in school as well. "Brain science demonstrates that the brain becomes what the brain does," Gentile said. "If we train the brain to require constant stimulation and constant flickering lights, changes in sound and camera angle, or immediate feedback, such as video games can provide, then when the child lands in the classroom where the teacher doesn't have a million-dollar-per-episode budget, it may be hard to get children to sustain their attention” (Gentile). The brain adapts and changes to the repetitive video game exposure which can be a reason why children can have attention problems. Researchers believe video games have an impact on children’s attention spans which can have a negative impact in their learning abilities in school.
I think the idea of having a educational video game for young students is appropriate because it could be a fun way for them to learn. If they like to have fun and play a game but also gain knowledge from a certain topic can be successful in the long run for our children in the future. The issue is finding that appropriate video game without losing the attention of these children. If it is not educational enough it will not be suitable for schools and could also lead to attention problems for these young students. The proper video game that keeps the attention of these students and is educational as well can definitely become a successful program.
Articles:
http://www.nature.com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/nature/journal/v466/n7307/full/466695a.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100706161759.htm
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