A bit farther down the Aspen Trail, there is an apple tree on the left side of the trail with apples strewn across the path. On the other side of the tree is a path that seems to lead back into an Apple Orchard. There is no gnome by the trail - just a sign that says "Games." Oh, a little behind that is another little sign that says "strengthen." Before you know it, you have started down the path to see the third sign, "lives -" and a fourth sign that says "Burma Shave." You know that long ago Burma Shave advertising consisted of short, pithy truths in a series of small signs ending with "Burma Shave." So, the short pithy truth here seems to be "Games strengthen lives." You wonder "OK, but how so?"
Apple Orchard
Four Ways Playing Games Strengthens Lives
- Increase Optimist/Sense of Ambition
- After we play a game we are good out we go out into life and set higher goals for ourselves or we are more successful at taking tasks.
- Strengthen our Social Relationship
- Playing with friends or family builds relationships to help us trust and enjoy the company of the other person more.
- Feeling of Awe and Wonder
- This encourages people to be more cooperative in their lives.
- Sense of Productivity
- We feel as if we get more done so we bring more energy and enthusiasm to out everyday lives.
Review:
What another eye opener. It is amazing to learn about the positive aspects of gaming. I really liked how Jane McGonigal said that games actually change who you are and what you are capable of. I have definitely experienced the aspect of strengthening social relationships. During high school my mentor family, my pastor family and I spent many hours playing a lesser known game called Dirty Marbles. This game is a combination of cards and marbles on a wooden board where each player takes turns trying to reach their home space. Although the game seems individual it is very much partner based. Throughout the game you know that the two players opposite of you (a total of three per team) are your partners. So you make decisions to protect your teammates and advance yourself. This article has helped me reflect on how much this time affected who I am.
I am very limited in my understanding of the video gaming world but I can see how video games have strengthened the relationship between my husband and his best friend. The make plans to play games together and across town as they work toward common goals within their games.
Yes, as you are seeing, though, not all educational gaming is video gaming in the sense that we normally think about it. Some of the authors you will find in the GBL section are working with a definition of video games that simply means anything using a screen - as opposed to what I think is a more common definition of video games as based from a specific game controller attached to a TV. Of course, in education the broader definition of video games includes games played on a computer or tablet, and indeed in education tabletop or playground games also can be game-based learning, along with paper-based game/assignments.
ReplyDeleteGood job
5 XP