Action Games: after playing the "shoot 'em up" type of game, I was a bit surprised by the fun I had. While reflecting on how this might translate into a classroom setting, the thing I come back to more and more is giving students a chance to practice the growth mindset. While teaching them the ways to practice a growth mindset is to try again, never give up, and keep a positive attitude, this style of game really allows them to experience failure in a way that motivates them to continue on and try again. I think by simply making that connection for kids, and saying it out loud, and discussing it, they could connect the growth mindset and feelings with failure to something concrete in their minds. This would help them make that important connection. Other bonuses are the practice of fine motor skills, reaction times, and dealing with obstacles. The Platform style game was really fun for me to enjoy. I like this better than a lot of other style games because I'm a newbie with video games, but this style runs deep back into my past as a child. I like the simple strategy and reflex involved in completing the task, and the way that strategy can be discovered, built upon, and learned from. It's a great example of how try, try, try again really works! I found a Mario Bros. game to share because I have a special fondness of this from being a kid. The First Person Shooter Style of game was fun to me because of the high-action, and strategy in avoiding oncoming shots, while simultaneously formulating a future plan. I can see this apply to classrooms because of that multi-tasking skill, however, it is not school appropriate for elementary school, and I would be a bit concerned about the suggestion of violence. My experience with the fighting game genre was also fun and intense. I like that it is a lot more strategic and involves great focus and thinking. The ability to think ahead and anticipate the opponent's future moves would really benefit students as they consider their futures. Hmmmm, what will happen if I don't complete this assignment? Will I get in trouble with my mom? Teacher? Will my grade drop? Again though, I wouldn't condone it for the elementary level. Driving games are very appealing to me. I like the adrenaline rush of the race. I like the ability to improve over time, master skills, and find strategic short-cuts. These were also in my childhood memories and I think they are relate-able to almost all kids. I'm having a small idea about incorporating a driving, racing theme that goes along with number fast facts that we time in school all the time.... race to the checkpoint and race to answer the fact, then continue? That would be fun in the classroom for sure! My exploration of the rhythm game genre was entertaining and fun. The intense concentration it sometimes took really stretched my brain, and I can definitely see that as a good thing for the classroom. Stamina and hand-eye coordination are great skills to develop and fusing that into the educational setting would be appropriate and fun! Narrative Games: after playing Zork for fifteen minutes, I felt a bit confused. I appreciated the directional help, and I tried to design a map as suggested in the video, although these things didn't seem too entertaining or fun to me. I hit many dead-ends and didn't know how to proceed. I forgot the object of the game. I made 34 moves and 0 points! I feel that I would be more invested in trying to persevere if I had a bit more motivation ... and since I forgot the end-goal, or did I ever know it? I lost a bit of my drive to push through. I can however, visualize the types of students who would enjoy this! It's less "action" and "adrenaline" and more of a strategy game. I normally like strategy games, however I think this one left me a bit unsupported. After having also played the Peasant's Quest game for a half hour, I realized there were many historical pieces to the game that are exciting and informative. For example, the mere direction to get stinkier because peasants smelled leaves a lot of room for interpretation about the hygiene during this period of time. Although it was also a bit confusing and I needed some support from other online resources, I learned that I was able to solve my own problems. I think this idea would transfer well to kids. I enjoyed Zelda, an action adventure game, more than the other narrative games I've experienced. Mainly, I felt it was easier to navigate and understand the end-game. My personal taste enjoyed the puzzles interwoven into the games as well. The multi-dimensional ideas kept my engagement more. I can see this working better in a classroom setting because the levels of exploration seemed a bit more structured. The Modern Narrative games (MMORPGs and ARGs) are completely out of my exposure. I mean, I know they are insanely popular, I'm sure my husband plays them semi-regularly, but I haven't ever tried them, or really cared to. My experience with this quest was a bit enlightening. I definitely see the appeal, but for me it's a bit overwhelming. I feel a little too-behind the times. However, the communication and collaboration skill is built up clearly from every moment playing. I think that is a critical skill every young person (actually every person, ever) needs to develop to succeed in life. It's amazing to me that these types of skills can be exposed to young people through games every day. Simulation Games: I grew up loving the simulation style games. I remember playing Lemonade Stand games, then Sim City, then Sims, and even Roller Coaster Tycoon. The strategy involved was fun to dive in and explore. I liked thinking through outcomes and scenarios. I got to try again, make new plans, and feel successful when I was running an empire. These style of games give the player so much control and autonomy. I think this is one thing children and adults crave to feel a sense of pride. It can help teach students an emphasis on finding the most efficient route to solve a problem, or how to balance and juggle multiple pieces at once. Other Games: The puzzle-type games are my favorite. I've always loved a good puzzle or mystery to solve. These are the types of games I like to keep downloaded on my cellphone. The frustration can sometimes light a fire under me, or convince me to give up, but either way, I always come back and enjoy it again. I think these are perfect for the classroom. This might be because I love them, or maybe it's because it's brain-boosting and that's the perfect thing for school!
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Sierra MayEdTech Student Archives
April 2018
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