In my previous post, I talked about Borderlands – a great FPS (First Person Shooter) game.  

Games like Borderlands are created using a 3D game engine.  I’ve been able to get over the sadness that came with the cancellation of my favorite TV show – 24 – through the (virtual) blast I’ve had playing First and Third Person Shooters. Now – instead of asking – what would Jack Baur DO? I find myself playing his part…

Similar to Flashcards, First and third Person Shooters are such a skill-and-drill concept.  Except they have the potential to immerse the player (I mean of course learner) with an experience in which their growing knowledge is engaged in foreword progress in the game.  And what is really great about foreword progress in a game is its immediate reward system – which leads to a growing self-confidence as achievements are received and levels are reached.

So, certainly things that need to be memorized through drill are candidates for First and Third Person Shooters– right? 

Exactly.  That brings me to a BIG SHOUT OUT to Big Brainz’s  Timez Attack.  If you have kids who are learning their multiplication tables – this is a game that is worth checking out.  It is basically a 3D Third Person Shooter where your child shoots the answers to multiplication questions that appear on a monster’s chest.  Instead of aiming a weapon, the weapon are the numbers on your PC (or Mac’s) keyboard. 

I first heard of this game when our youngest daughter was in third grade.  She had this most amazing teacher that diligently searched for the best learning software.

 One day our daughter was excitedly  jumping up and down.  Her arms were flailing above her head as she begged us to install Timez Attack.  She had played Timez Attack at school.  What a hoot!  My daughter is playing a Third Person Shooter during school hours….

Before I go on –> Another HUGE SHOUT OUT to the many teachers that have been such positive guides to our children!!!
 
For our daughter, playing Timez Attack was a much better time than grinding through multiplication flashcards.

I don’t see – or even advocate – a game to displace another activity.  Rather – I truly believe that game companies can create awesome games using 3D engines that teachers recommend as just one additional option.

This interactive/direct feedback/rewards system  way to learn seems to me to be a great way to reinforce what is being learned through Flashcards and other methods.  AND self-confidence is being built because of the immediate gratification that comes with conquering a software game.

As we prepare Flashcards for multiplication results or vocabulary words maybe we should ask… Would our kids benefit from first and third person shooters where the skill involved is the entry of important facts?  I say yes.

        

Why Games Should be Added to our School’s Curriculum

Long after work ends…after I’ve walked our dogs…after I’ve said good night to our children…I sit down and play a game on my PC that is my latest “must play.”  This time around it is a game called  Borderlands.    I’m not very good at this game.  I’ve been playing for at least two weeks and am not close to completion.  In comparison, my co-workers finished the game in one night.  OK, ok – I estimate that each of them have spent an accumulated 20,000 hours (no I’m NOT kidding) playing these type of games.  Me?  Well let’s just say I’m a late (my daughters might say VERY late) bloomer.

Borderlands is a really fun, well done, intense FPS (First Person Shooter).  While I could play with three of my friends, I prefer single player mode.  Besides, I don’t know any middle aged women that would play with me.  Bejeweled, maybe.  A First Person Shooter – nah….

If you are not familiar with FPSs, they are very popular with boys.  So popular that several of our senators have decided nothing good can come from playing these type of games.  In case you’d like to get a better feeling for FPSs, here is a link to the Wikipedia article on FPSs.

Since I started playing Borderlands, I’ve discovered, explored and have become familiar with new territories.  I’ve gone on missions and won achievements.   I’m always on the watch for bad guys, Skags, and Zombies. I’ve figured out how best to manage my inventory of weapons, shields, and healing supplies so that I have at least some chance of winning the next Boss Challenge.  When I finally conquer the Boss, I am excited to share this victory with my family.  Their feedback is a tad disappointing.  My youngest daughter notes that I should grow up.  I guess as a parent I can understand why they think the large amount of time I spend playing Borderlands is wasted.  But then again, this is coming from a kid that won’t miss an episode of Glee.

 What they (and many others) are missing is what a great learning experience I am having.  I’m discovering.  I’m exploring.  I’m learning new skills.  I’m completing tasks.  I’m winning achievements.  I’m organizing my resources.  The feedback is instantaneous.  My new found skills are recognized through leveling.  Yes, I am proud to get to the next level, no matter how funny my co-workers think my accomplishments are since pretty much any teen ager would do better than me in this game.

 My business partners have played these games all their lives.  Tom has been programming games since he was 5.  I find these guys share some common traits.  They are very creative.  They can take a hard challenge – like Living Ink and engaging reading comprehension mechanics for early readers that is our focus in ItzaBitza and ItzaZoo, – and solve them.  They can context switch very quickly.   I believe these traits – creativity, problems solving, context switching – are 21st century skills we all need to fine tune - have been heightened in these guys by playing such intense games.

Sure, the content in Borderlands is not appropriate for younger gamers.  That is why it is rated M (Mature – for 17 and older).  Like any form of entertainment or education, playing has to be monitored to some degree.  But with all that said, I’m impressed with the learning opportunities these games provide.