Double Journal Entry #1

A quote that I strong agree with in the article at http://www.academiccolab.org/resources/documents/MacArthur.pdf is:

"So the video games in which I am interested, the ones that I think are most
interesting for learning, are digital simulations of worlds that are “played” in the sense that a player has a surrogate or surrogates through which the player can act within and on the simulation and that have “win states” (reachable goals that the player has discovered or formed through his or her surrogate)."

I agree with this quote because simulations provide a background into the working of a real life system. Students learn the rules and advantages to be had within the game just as a scientist would use a simulation to address a problem. I found some justication for simulations at the website: http://www.creativeteachingsite.com/edusims.html

The reasoning I agreed most with is: "They simulate an activity that is "real", and so it can be said that they are "virtually real". They simulate the activity so well that there is little difference between the simulated environment and the real one, and the same kind of learning experience can take place."

I always believed that simulation style games could teach a student how a system works but these articles reinforce and give me better understanding of how the games benefit students. Students are informally introduced to the work that scientists have to do to understand a new system.

First post for EDUC 6814

a. Where you are from and what do you do.

I am from Clarksburg, WV and I work software development contracts.

b. What do you want to get out of the class.

I would like to learn more about creating games to teach adults.

c. Are you a Gamer? What Games do you play? Why do you like playing games?

I am a gamer and I play computer strategy games and MMO's with online friends. I like playing games because they are more entertaining than television in my opinion.

d. What is your position on kids and video games? (ie time wasters, socially isolating, moral corrupting, new ways of learning, conflicted)

Games can play an important role in teaching children on a variety of subjects, yet developers mostly make violent games that have little bearing on how the world really works.

e. Link to a video, podcast, online article or blog posting that is related to the effects of video games on children's learning, sociability or character development and explain why you have selected to resource.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510101504.htm
I picked this site because it was the first to not be negative towards gaming when I did a search on the subject and I enjoyed reading it.

f. List three major world events that happen during the year you were born.

The Bi-centenial of the United States.
The Election of Jimmy Carter.
1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada.