Double Journal Entry #1

“You can act in the simulation and test out what consequences follow, before you act in the real world.”

I like this quote because I believe it has great potential in the classroom; especially when teaching science or math.  A great deal of science and math is trial and error; you hypothesize about a science concept and then test it out.  If it works, great; if it doesn’t, you make adjustments and form another hypothesis.  In math, a lot of times, there are multiple strategies to solving one problem.  You try them out, and find out which one works best for you.  Video games that allow the simulation of these hypotheses and strategies are effective ways for students to input their hypotheses and strategies and test the consequences.  Instead of testing them in the real world, they can first test them virtually.

“Winning would mean just what it does to a scientist:  feeling a sense of accomplishment through the production of knowledge to solve deep problems.”

I chose this quote because I like the message it gives to students; that using their intelligence to set goals and solve problems is something to take pride in.  There is an intrinsic motivation to succeed.  One of the concerns I have with video games that deal with stealing cars or shooting/killing other players is that kids don’t get anything positive out of winning.  They win, and feel accomplishment, by doing things that are bad.  However, in video games like the one in the article, they win by doing good things; using their mind and solving problems.

“We have known for years now that a great many school students can get good grades on paper and pencil tests in science, but can’t use their knowledge to solve actual problems.”

 I completely agree with this quote because, unfortunately, too much of the time students are simply being taught for a test.  The main objective is that students are able to pass a paper and pencil test.   I don’t believe this truly assesses whether a student has learned.  In order to really understand something, you have to be able to apply it.  Applying knowledge involves hands on/real life experiences, and video game simulations can be a great tool to use.  Students will be able apply knowledge and solve problems using digital simulation.

 

 I really liked Mr. Gee’s article on video games and learning; so I looked for other resources from him.  I found the video Video Games, Learning, and Literacy and chose it because I liked what he said about “all a video game is, is a set of problems you must solve.”  I have never thought of video games like this; I have always thought of them as mindless playing.  I never considered them to complex, or require problem solving.  I also liked what he said about assessment driving our educational system.  We teach and teach a concept, and then give a paper and pencil test to assess whether the student has learned, when we should be building our assessment into what we are teaching every day. 

 

This article did change my mind about a connection between video games and learning.  After reading this article and watching the video, I can now see how much more complex video games can be.  During these games, students are setting goals, strategizing, using trial and error, making adjustments, problem solving, and much more.  There is a lot going on cognitively in a student’s brain while he/she is playing.

 
As a teacher, I am interested in someday using simulations like these in a science class so that students can test different theories and hypotheses.  I believe it would be a great way to enhance learning and get students engaged in problem solving.  Another benefit is that students can test hypotheses they couldn’t do in a classroom; ones that are too dangerous or the materials are too expensive.

Resource

DML Research Hub.  (2011, Aug 4).  Games and Education Scholar James Paul Gee on Video Games, Learning, and Literacy. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNfPdaKYOPI.