Cybertraps Podcast

The question of the day: What role can or should video games play in the classroom? A massive, massive economic sector 2020 – Approximately $66 billion dollars for the U.S. industry as a whole; worldwide, $177 billion According to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA): Average age of video game player is 31 90% of gamers are over 18 Largest segment is 18–34 year olds (38 percent) 76% of people under the age of 18 play video games 74% of parents play with their children at least weekly Impact of video games on learning The jury is still out; there are competing studies that show varying effects, both positive and negative Chief question is whether gaming interferes with performance of necessary school tasks Positives may include: collaboration and teamwork social skills planning language skills preparation for remote learning Negatives may include distraction sleep deprivation risk of bullying and abuse grooming Can video games be a positive force in the classroom? Gamification of learning Games as a form of engagement Trophies, badges, and rewards Leveling up Risks for Educators Games overwhelm the content Inappropriate conversations Inappropriate interactions within the games Giving consoles or games to student could be perceived as grooming Popular video games Roblox Fortnite Minecraft Resources - #2021–08–07 Could video gaming hold the key to better learning? https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2021/08/07/how-some-teachers-gaming-education-system/5454842001/ - #2021–05–28 How teachers can use video games to motivate students https://theconversation.com/how-teachers-can-use-video-games-to-motivate-students–161624 - #2021–04–05 Former Teacher At Church Farm School Gets 15–30 Years For Abuse (PA) https://patch.com/pennsylvania/westchester/former-teacher-church-farm-school-gets–15–30-years-abuse - #2021–02–22 Struck off: Catholic primary school teacher, 27, banned after talking about her sexuality while playing FORTNITE with two young pupils on PlayStation (England) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–9286621/Catholic-school-teacher-banned-talking-sexuality-playing-FORTNITE-pupils.html - #2019–02–13 Middle school gym teacher, 30, is fired for playing Fortnite with his students to ‘reward’ them for doing their work (NY) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article–6699891/Brooklyn-gym-teacher–30-fired-playing-Fortnite-students-reward-them.html - #2018–08–27 Fontys teacher unravels the success of game Fortnite with her students https://innovationorigins.com/en/fontys-teacher-unravels-the-success-of-game-fortnite-with-her-students/ - #2018–05–03 Educators Battle ‘Fortnite’ for Students’ Attention https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/educators-battle-fortnite-for-students-attention/2018/05 - #2018–01–02 The effects of video games on school achievement https://parentingscience.com/effects-of-video-games-on-school/ - Zachary Hartzman has a whole curriculum based on video games: Listen on Transformative Principal - Hey Listen Games - using games to teach - [n.d.] Best Video Games for Teens https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-video-games-for-teens