High Score Education By James Paul Gee

In today’s society video games have a large influence on people. We also might be driven to the point of where we are dependent on them. In fact, being so engulfed in video games could help children become more focused.In fact, parents would probably disagree and say that video games wouldn’t be essential to learning because it would probably be considered a waste of time for children and time-consuming. Parents would also disagree with the content of what is in the game, but there is a great possibility that video games could actually make us smarter. Steven Johnson explains that the games we are used to playing can improve our visual intelligence and that it would be good to learn new strategies through gaming. Video games should be an

Video games are enjoyable for people and have good benefits for children who use their multiple skills to play and interact with others. In many parts of the world, the common video game is often seen by parents as something that is wasting their child's time or “rotting their brain”. It is a popular misconception that video games are bad for children. What parents do not know is the positive things about video games. Video games have a positive impact on people and help them learn things for experiences to come. People often do not understand that violent video games are not harmful to people because video games allow people to release their anger, video games decrease crime in youth, and because they allow people to be creative and test their

The video games of today take many forms, ranging from immersive fantasy worlds, to simple point and click programs with little, to no plot. Some games aim only to demonstrate an educational concept in a fun and interactive way, while others allow the player to step out of reality and enjoy a world of their own making. It is this wide variety of game types that makes it impossible to judge "video games" as a whole. For this purpose of this essay, I will acknowledge video games as belonging to one of two camps - violent, nonviolent, or educational.

While there are claims that video games are not beneficial, it is quite reasonable to assume they are. Video game-based learning has become prominent in the world of technology. Crocco states that popular video games are “problem-solving adventures that foster engagement, inquiry, and critical thinking.” The inquiry and critical thinking mentioned by Crocco, paired with the engagement of the player, allow for increased proficiency in those areas. Additionally, Bowen insists that games, including violent games, allow for an expansion of child’s learning along with health and social skills. For example, video games enhance one’s problem solving skills, reasoning, memory, and perception. Although learning is often associated with pure knowledge, children are able to learn socially as well. Since the world is becoming increasingly technology-based, it is convenient for children to learn through technology.

For several decades, video games have been cast aside as detractors of student learning in the classroom. According to the research done by Mifsud, Vella, and Camilleri (2013), there is yet still an abundance of research that needs to be conducted, in order to determine the usefulness of video game application in schools. This research synthesis collects data on several different viewpoints and uses of video games in regards to complementing student engagement and learning. The research of James Gee (2005), hypothesized that good video games use good learning principles, of which there are a several. These learning principles include identity, interaction, production, risk-taking, challenge and consolidation, and system thinking. The specific descriptions of each principle will be dissected throughout this synthesis.

They’re learning to learn.” (Gee, 399) Gee might be correct that there is potential to learn through video gaming, however, it is more the content of these games that should be held up to scrutiny. Specifically, the depth of violence and unrealistic virtual worlds involved in many of these games should indeed hold cause for concern. There are no long term studies to draw from telling us that video gaming is either a good or bad thing. But we do have common sense to draw from and we should consider what is known to date from both ends of the spectrum. The popular television show Dr. Phil recently aired an episode when a young man was so addicted to video gaming that it overtook his life. He no longer ate, showered or brushed his teeth and only slept when it physically overtook him. He mentally transformed himself into the video game, ignoring everything else. While this may be only one case, it should not be ignored. When considering the theories both Carr and Gee present, both essays are alarming and brings one not only to the conclusion that education is definitely in crisis in this country, but if were intending on video games to fill some kind of educational void, we are likely a country in

He shows how video games enhance creativity, community, problem-solving skills, and self-expression. By engaging players in simulated worlds, video games expand their minds and their imagination. Rather than using the linear approach, players learn to play a video game and master the various levels through a creative problem-solving approach based on the scientific method of hypothesis, experiment and analysis. Video games entertain and educate on a level beyond any other medium by allowing the player to be actively engaged and interact with various aspects of the game environment. Through amplifying the power of human imagination rather than denigrate society, video games benefit and enhance

The U.S. public education system has been subject for debate for many years now, budget cuts, overcrowding and lack of innovation have severely impacted the effectiveness of our schools. As a result, according to a report by Education Week, “In mathematics, 29 nations and other jurisdictions outperformed the United States by a statistically significant margin, up from 23 three years ago” (Heitin). Coupled with our 19th and 22nd ranking of literacy and science respectively, because of this, we can conclude a reform is necessary if we want to remain prevalent in tomorrow 's economy (Heitin). To get to the root of the problem and secure economic prosperity for our children, we need to reconcile the relationship between schools and students. Some of the reasons students dislike school is because it revolves around the prospect of failure, not gaining knowledge or solving problems. Therefore, this method is not very effective as it does not encourage curiosity and relies on extrinsic motivation. Many educators have played around with the idea of using video games in the classroom, kids love to play these simulations where one must learn the game and fail, in order to succeed. Even though they are usually viewed as an expensive entertainment medium, recent technological advancements in hardware capabilities have resulted in better and more immersive gameplay while lowering the cost of each unit may help bring video games into the classroom. Video games can be used as a medium to

Their education is important. Education is what gives them the foundation for which to explore, progress, and even conquer the world around them. Giving children the best opportunities by using the best tools to equip them is vital to their overall success. The tools we used before are often outdated and no longer relevant. Video games can replace those old techniques that have aged poorly. Video games can be the new tool to be used by students and teachers to best equip students for the world they will face today’s world. Josh Kenworthy reports on stories where students describing our schools like prisons. More and more students find themselves trapped within in school, feeling like prisoners. Video games, not only can be used by teachers to learn the best way to interact with and teach their students, but also can be a way for students to find some joy in school, while still benefiting the student. This will help remove the prison-like feel from schools. Teaching children to love learning comes through many aspects. Change within our education system is needed, and video games should be seriously considered as that change. Often, Video games can teach children important life skills while still holding their attention. Overall, video games have the potential to radically and positively change both the way teachers teach and how students

Video games can teach children many different life lessons. For instance, Games like “ultima forever” can teach you virtues of life, and by learning these children can become better people in life. Kids will learn these skills and use them in their daily life. In the article, “Ultima forever returns for kinder, gentler, thoughtful, gaming”, Kate Flack, lead designer for the game says “‘... They will start to recognize these same choices in their real life and become better people.’” This quote shows that the game ultima forever prepares children for

Both Alicia Ault and the Banbury Guardian’s articles agree with each other that video games are not damaging to children’s well-being, but they can actually be healthy and improve children’s learning abilities in addition to building cooperative and communication skills. The article “Video Games and Learning” talks about how popular the use of video games for learning has become. It also talks about how gender stereotypes discourage girls from playing video games which may have some consequences for education because of the popularity with them in schools. Alicia Ault, a freelance journalist with a BA in history, writes that “well-designed games can impact learning through play alone … [games] are especially good at motivation due

Nowadays, kids are fast learners, which makes it challenging for teachers to maintain students focused in school. For instance, video games are a kids best buy in these days, which irritates teachers because many kids play video games meanwhile, they are at school. The reason why video games are very popular in a kid’s world is because they deliver entertainment. Therefore; video game developers had found a way to keep kids well educated involving history and at the same time fun.

In today’s society, the concerns for the effects of video games have acquired quite a terrible reputation. Worried parents around the world assume video games make their children do poorly in school, and create violent, desensitized, antisocial children. The increase in violent games, usually get the blame for aggressive behavior, shootings and violence in schools and young individuals. Most beliefs about video games effect on the brain and emotions are very common misconceptions. I strongly believe that video games are an essential tool to learning and gaining much-needed skills. When people look at the studies that have been done on video games and the brain, it will be apparent that some myths about video games have been blown out of proportion. It has come to my attention that there are studies that prove the negative effects of video games may only last the duration of game play. Kids can improve in general knowledge with educational video games like Leap Frog. Video games can train specific areas of the brain as well as increase brain flexibility and memory. Gaming actually has more beneficial effects than negative effects. Video games are excellent educational implement used in elementary schools. It is extremely helpful in brain development and helping kids with trouble reading improve. Memory retention can be improved and increased with the use of strategic, thinking games. Video games, as funny as it might sound, even promote

Since the Early 70’s video games have been giving a bad name. Parents state that video games rot the minds of children and are influencing them do be violent. These accusations are far from the truth. In my research I found that there are many positive effects of gaming. Some of these effects are increased skills, creativity, general knowledge, and also help those in need. Parents can also take proper precautions and look into a game before buying it to see if it meets the criteria discussed in this paper.

All that is required is just skillfully managing the keyboard. Computer life is so exciting, that sometimes people are not concerned so much on events that occur in reality, as on what is happening in the virtual world. Where, by passing different levels and achieving any success, player feels how great and powerful he is. With each passing day, the video game industry progresses, giving us the better opportunity to fully enjoy the scene. The purpose of this essay is to prove that video games bring more harm than benefits to children. Firstly in this essay, negative effects will be considered, after that it will review benefits of video games, and finally give recommendations to parents, how not to allow games to negatively influence their children.