The article by Bogost was really interesting to me because it gives a new perspective on video games and how if we begin to think of them in a different way towards children, it can help them explore their creativity more. Bogost talks about how we think of video games as leisure and not something we can use towards teaching so when we limit how much time kids can have to play video games, we are limiting how much they can actually learn from playing video games. The point that Bogost made that stood out to me the most was, "Video games are appealing, kids want to play them, and they also want to make them. By luring kids into computer science through video game development, we can attempt to increase dwindling interest in math, science, and technology (Bogost 137)." This quote stood out to me because I never thought about the fact that playing video games can introduce kids to computer science and later make them enjoy subjects like math and science which later in life can lead to amazing career fields. This article just made me be more open minded to video games because I also think of it in a leisure type of way and not something you can learn from because I was raised into thinking that way.
Growing up anytime I would come home from school or was at my aunts house, I was always told to go outside and play and that being outside is good for me. I think part of the reason that was so heavily encouraged was my mom associated watching tv so much or playing video games with being lazy and she didn't want me to be lazy so she was always pushing me to go outside and play and to be creative when being outside because it helps to experience new things and is better than sitting at home. But after reading this article it helped me realize that playing video games doesn't have anything to do with being lazy, it's actually really cool because you're using different types of technology and learning how it all works and you have to be pretty smart to understand all of that. I think if we gave kids the option on what they like to do that gives them inspiration and how to use their creativity than that can lead to happier kids and them knowing what they like to actually do and eventually lead them into a career that is right for them.
VVideo games are appealing, kids
want to play them, and they also want to make them. By luring kids into computer sciencethrough video game development, we can attempt to increase dwindling interest in math,science, and technology.ideo games are appealing, kids
want to play them, and they also want to make them. By luring kids into computer sciencethrough video game development, we can attempt to increase dwindling interest in math,science, and technology.
Hello Amina, I agree with you that video games do not indicate laziness. In fact, a lot of my friends that are more into the gaming world than me seem to be way better with technological stuff than me for sure. And that also may involve just using tools and such. I was also one of those kids who was outside all the time. It depends on what you're into it's perfectly okay to be able to like video games but I do think exercise is important for anyone's health. If you can get both in you will be fine.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you picked out as video games is what led me to learn how to code and improve my creative writing. I at one point wanted to create or help create a video game. Though I am no longer a computer science major I still have two great skills I learned from being inspired by video games. I defiantly think video games can lead to exploring difficult concepts in math and computer science like you said. Someone playing Minecraft wanting to set up a multiplier server for their friends requires them to learn some coding in Javascript, and knowledge around changing their internet setting (port forwarding). Though video games are good there is definitely a good balance between video games and imaginative play outside. Too much of either can become a problem just like anything else. I am very curious if there is specific research that finds the best amount of outside and video game play that can help a child develop.
ReplyDeleteAmina, I really liked the quote you included from Bogost. The reading does such a good job introducing the concept of video games from a fresh perspective that allows the reader to deconstruct any previous notions they had about the topic. I especially liked how Bogot points out how the dwindling interest in school topics like math and science could be revamped and inspired through the use of technology that is more digestible for kids! Our education system was not designed for creative learning, it was designed to control. This is not the way an institution can instill growth and development for children. If we really desire for our children to be well-rounded, creative individuals, their interests and energy need to be channeled in a way that encourages their individual development.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this concept back to my years in primary education. As a kid, my favorite subjects were math and science in school because the learning environments I was placed in were typically interactive and focused on a more creative approach. Upon transitioning to high school and into college, I found these topics much more difficult to engage with due to a more rigid method of teaching. I never quite understood why I struggled with these topics despite my adequate capacity to engage with the same content years prior. In hindsight, I think it would've been interesting to see if my performance changed had I taken it upon myself to create a different learning environment for myself.