Should students play games in school?
This is an interesting question that I struggle with myself as an educator and as a parent. I believe the authors of our book, Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching say it best when they advise the reader to “balance the motivation that instructional games bring to learning” (page 97). I believe that it is important to reach out to the students and attempt to spark interest by making learning engaging and fun. I also feel that the computer is a great tool to use as an incentive for students to complete work, work together, and for behavior management.
At the same time, I also struggle with the notion of students requiring constant “entertainment.” Everywhere you look, kids are interacting with a monitor of some sort: playing on a TV, game console, hand-held game, computer, or playing on a phone. I have even recently purchased a Kindle for my ten year old son. I do feel that children have lost the art of appreciating an actual book or the art of entertaining themselves with hands-on activities and the use of manipulatives in the classroom (and the ability to hold an extended conversation or enjoy scenery on a lengthy car ride rather than “be entertained” by a hand-held device).
That said, there is a very important place for technology both inside and outside the classroom. As I learned in my Educational Planning class, we need to prepare our students for their future, a future which will undoubtedly involve staying up to date with current technology. Therefore, as educators it is our job to teach children, even those as young as pre-kindergarten, how to use computers, help them enjoy computers, and to teach children that there is always more to learn about computers.
Computer games can be so sophisticated. Sometimes students don't even realize they are learning. Digital technology and software can be quite educational.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that not every moment of education needs to be entertaining. It's important for students to work through feelings of boredom and disinterest.
My hope is that schools will always value hands on experiences. For example, coloring with crayons and making something out clay are as important to learning as paintshop or 3D printing.