According to the NYTimes article (of the same name) more and more kids are turning to video games that allow them to interact with the characters in their books. This kind of idea, parring learning with video games, is one that is going beyond books, "libraries are hosting gaming tournaments, while schools are exploring how to incorporate video games in the classroom".
I think this is a great way to get kids more interested in reading. It seems like everyday more kids are putting down the books, and opting to play video games that teach them only how to "melt off faces" (in guitar hero). By enabling kids to explore the characters in their books through the video game format, I think kids will be more eager to set aside "World of Warcraft" and instead, get read to play “The Maze of Bones", a 10-book mystery series tied to a web-based game, published by the same firm who brought us Harry Potter.
Perhaps this could help increase literacy rates in the US, and create an overall ripple effect on the rest of the economy.
3 comments:
I hate to disagree with you, but I honestly think this is a terrible idea. While the concept might be good- "tricking" kids into learning- I think the reality is somewhat different. By further installing video games into children's lives nowadays, we are not solving the literacy problem, but most likely making our young children obese and lazy. When we were younger we went outside and did physical activities to have fun... IMAGINE THAT! Kids these days do not need to sit in front of the playstation/computer any longer because pretty soon they will be the ones with the "melted faces."
I don't know if this is a solution to the literacy problem. The ones who are constantly in front of the computer/ play station are the ones who can well afford a good education. While the illiterate and uneducated are the ones who cannot afford the computer or the play station. Hence I don’t think that pairing learning with video games will in anyway help better the literacy standards of the country. I think Logan has a point when he states that this will in fact just increase the obesity rates instead!
Yes I agree with the Anisha and Logan. I also want to add, the kids have to read the book in the first place in order to get interested in the game. So it is still a question of whether or not the kids want to read the book first, or keep playing video games that do not require pre-knowledge acquired through reading.
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