Connecting learning with online gaming
Just about every kid nowadays plays video games. So, I think that it would make sense to cater to their learning to what they are already in their free time. In the video Minecraft: Educational Edition, they talk about how they know their student are already learning in platforms like Minecraft but they can now interact with them on those platforms to see how they are doing. By having the students interact on a platform they already know and that the educators can also interact with them is a win: win. The students are actively engaged and the educators are safely monitoring their interactions on the platform.
With the benefits of learning and online gaming, there are still risks involved. The first thing is to recognize that online gaming can be developed into a behavioral addiction. In an article, it states “97 percent of teen boys and 83 percent of girls play games on some kind of device” (Kamenetz, 2019). Since a large majority of students are using online games, its smart to look into the signs of becoming addicted to these games. The second is to set game times, this will allow them to play but for only a certain amount of time so they are playing it all day and not getting other things done. The third is to look into the types of games they are playing. This will make sure that its a safe environment and to also monitor if there is harassment and online bullying (Saftey Tips for Students).
In my own experience, I don’t play video games. I don't own an Xbox but I do play games on my phone from time to time. The game that I frequently play when I'm on a trip to my cabin or on a flight is Words With Friends. It's a game that you can play with an automated generated algorithm or you can play with your friends. I enjoy this game because it makes me think, takes my mind off of things, and gives some competition with my sister and I. I feel that this game has limitations to the wide range of learning aspects where you can learn new vocabulary and build spelling skills, but compared to Minecraft, where you can learn science, math, and vocab. But I think that Words With Friends is a game that is excellent in learning vocab if someone struggles in it. I’m not the best in spelling and I feel when I get a large word, I usually remember the word and how to spell it and if it’s a word I don't know I look it up to learn the meaning. I think that if someone struggles in the field of spelling, this is a great game to play with friends and family leisurely to build their vocabulary. I think that if educators were to apply this application to their student's learning, they would be able to socialize and make it fun to spell and learn new vocabulary.
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