Writing about games? Why not?
Utilizing video games in the classroom can be a tricky subject. When I talked to my parents about it (after they asked me what I was doing in class these days) they smirked and said nothing useful has ever came out of that “stupid nintendo bulls***.” Of course I differed in opinion and it sparked a huge debate about if they have any viable use in the classroom beyond the obvious outside of classroom stuff I have already spoken about. One of the top arguments I made was that if students can do book reports, why can’t they do game reports? It is the same kind of writing, that is to say semi-professional review, and as long as I provided the students with a list of appropriate video games (ones that actually promote good reading skills, not the mindless violence sort) much like any teacher does with books, I do not see any problem with letting students do “game reviews.” I actually found an article that discusses this very topic. The writer went to a conference on utilizing games in the classroom, and one of the most important topics was writing about games. The article is as follows:
Game Reviews
Honestly, the only thing holding the gaming industry back from the educational market is funding and ideas. What would be brilliant is to see complete “divisions” at gaming places designing and crafting educationally spawned gaming. That would be a step in the right direction for certain.
Big Brainz has made a huge step in the right direction with the release of their first title Timez Attack. A high-end educational video game that teaches total multiplication mastery! I am sure ANY 3rd grade kid would be thrilled to have the chance to 1. play the game and 2. be able to do a game report on it! Seriously, there is nothing else like it on the planet. Check out the base version for free at http://www.bigbrainz.com