A huge barrier to Games in the classroom is….
obesity. People are going to be worried about it with so many video games flying around that most parents are afraid of their kids not getting off of their duffs. To put their worries to rest, though, I cite the new console Nintendo Wii, the Dance Dance Revolution game, and the Eye Toy for the PS2. The article I referenced for this post is:
Healthy Games
The Nintendo Wii is a console utilizing a wireless remote that promotes all kinds of activity, as opposed to just “sittingon your duff.” Indeed, most games require that a person is standing up. Take for instance the tennis game on the “Wii Sports” disc that comes with the system. You are required to move around the room in front of the TV in accordance with the tennis ball, swinging the remote like it is your racket. The game provides you with a caloric “readout” at the end of every session stating how many calories it estimates that you burn. Now that is interactive!
The Dance Dance Revolution game is a huge focus of the article. It talks about utilizing the game for cardiovascular workouts. I can state from personal experience that this game is CRAZY WORKOUT TIME. Seriously. The fast paced music that you have to keep beat to and motivate your feet is right up there cardiovascularly with sprinting. Especially when you get to the upper levels of the game.
The eye toy is a different sort of workout. I was thinking more on the lines of cognitively impaired students who have trouble with their coordination and such. There are games for it that require the player to pop bubbles or the “whack a mole” type of games. This would build coordination and help the students focus their mind while still working out their reflexes and muscles.
Dan,
I have heard about the Nintendo Wii, but have yet to try it. I would be really excited to play the tennis game, as I was an avid tennis player in high school. Sounds like you have a good argument against video games causing/promoting obesity.
My question to you is how you would use a game system like the Wii or DDR in the classroom. I agree that these games are fun, interactive, and burn lots of calories while playing. But I am wondering what parents would say about letting students play DDR or “Virtual tennis” in the classroom? I think you could make the argument that it improves coordination and concentration, but I can see parents arguing for you to just actually teach the students how to play tennis, as opposed to using the Wii. They may argue that students “these days” have SO MUCH technology influence with iPods and gaming systems that they’re forgetting how to “go outside and have some real-live fun.”
I realize that I am playing devil’s advocate right now, but I guess by reading your blog entry, I got really excited about the possibility of using these “active games” in the classroom…but I don’t know what parents would think. I also don’t necessarily know how they could be used as an educational component. I definitely think it’s an area worth exploring.
Ashley
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What I had to say... « It’s Your Pulse, Your Heartbeat, and Your Rhythm of Life said this on April 17, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I agree that these styles of video games can be a great workout. I’ve tried DDR and that game gets pretty sweaty after a while. The Wii also does provide a very good workout. Wii Sports actually has a thing called the Wii Fitness Test on it. It puts you through three different challenges and it scores your power, endurance and speed. It also gives you a fitness age depending on how well you do. It recommends that you do a fitness test every day. The test gives you quite a good workout. I’ve also found that Donkey Konga gives you a good workout. The arm movements in that game can become quite tiring. If the styles of these games were combined with educational purposes, kids could learn, exercise and have fun all at the same time.
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The comment post « To think is to be, to discuss is to be social. said this on April 18, 2007 at 6:09 am