nintendo a go-go computer games: learning tools for the digital native? derek p robertson learning...
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Nintendo a go-goNintendo a go-goComputer games:Computer games:
Learning tools for the digital native?Learning tools for the digital native?
Derek P RobertsonDerek P RobertsonLearning Teaching ScotlandLearning Teaching ScotlandNew Technologies for Learning Development Officer
Young people are spending their time in a space which adults find difficult to supervise or understand-DEMOS Jan 2007
•Successful learnersSuccessful learners
•Confident IndividualsConfident Individuals
•Responsible citizensResponsible citizens
•Effective ContributorsEffective Contributors
Our new learning space…Our new learning space…
Prensky’s digital native?Prensky’s digital native?• What is a digital native?
– Modern technology is now embedded in, and integral to, young learners lives:
•digital interactive TV•the internet•Music downloads•computer games•cell phones•instant messaging
•blogs•ebay•online avatars•MMORPG•instant messaging•sharing media
Digital natives: what differs?Digital natives: what differs?• Does the digital learner learn in a different
way?– They are used to receiving information at high speed– They like to parallel process/multi-task– They prefer graphics before text– They prefer random access (i.e. hypertext)– They work very well when networked– They thrive on instant gratification and frequent
rewards– They prefer games to ‘serious’ work
Prensky’s digital immigrant?Prensky’s digital immigrant?
• Have had to adapt to the ever increasing influence of technology on society
• Retain their ‘accent’– print out e-mails– write on word processing documents rather than
do it on screen– refer to the manual first– ‘Did you get my e-mail?’ phone call
Communication breakdown?Communication breakdown?
• Do teachers (digital immigrants) speak a different language from young learners (digital natives)?
• Is our methodology still based on how immigrants were socialised to learn?– slowly, step-by-step, linear, individually, seriously
• Do immigrants implicitly assume that learners learn, and will continue to learn, the way they always have?
A theoretical framework?A theoretical framework?
• Social constructivism– Find out about what children already know
and can do, value it and use this a s the foundation upon which future learning can be built
– Importance of talk and collaboration in the learning process - a shared experience
– Importance of cultural relevance and cultural relevance and resonanceresonance
Why computer games?Why computer games?• Whitfield Primary, Dundee, 1997-1999
– Games at Christmas– Problem solving with the Zoombinis– Using the Nintendo 64 to promote creative
writing• Pupils were motivated and stimulated to learn• Encouraged and facilitated collaboration• Encouraged and facilitated learner reflection• A climate of active and knowledgeable
participation• No fear in the approach to their learning
Why computer games?Why computer games?• Wider reading and research:
– Futurelab• Games and Learning (2005)• Teaching with Games (2006)
– ELSPA• Unlimited Learning (2006)
– Mark Prensky– James Paul Gee– Stephen Johnson– Gerard Jones– John Kirriemuir
Enhanced learning?Enhanced learning?• Powerful motivational context• Enhanced learning through games
– Science model– Problem solving– Knowledge about other curricular areas
• Metacognitive development• Collaborative contexts• Affective domain
Why games engage us?Why games engage us?
Games are a form of fun.
That gives us enjoyment and pleasure.
Games are a form of play.
That gives us intense and passionate involvement.
Games have rules. That gives us structure.
Games have goals. That gives us motivation.
Games are interactive. That gives us doing.
Games have outcomes and feedback.
That gives us learning.Games are adaptive. That gives us flow.
Games have win states.
That gives us ego gratification.
Games have conflict/challenge/opposition.
That gives us adrenaline.
Games have problem solving.
That sparks our creativity.
Games have interaction. That gives us social groups.
Games have representation and story.
That gives us emotion.
It is time to garrotte the Game Boy and paralyse the PlayStation, and it is about time, as a society, that we admitted the catastrophic effect these blasted gizmos are having on the literacy and the prospects of young males…
We demand that teachers provide our children with reading skills; we expect the schools to fill them with a love of books; and yet at home we let them slump in front of the consoles. They become like blinking lizards, motionless, absorbed, only the twitching of their hands showing they are still conscious.- Boris Johnson December 2006
A new moral panic?A new moral panic?
promotes aggression
desensitises children
encourages sedentary lifestyle
causes obesitysocial isolation
cognitive stagnation
established standards challenged
The ConsolariumThe Consolarium• Scottish Centre for Games in Education:
– Comprehensive range of commercial consoles and games
• PS2, PSP, Xbox360, DS, Wii,
– Alienware PC– Intel Mac– Interactive whiteboard– Wi-fi access
• Some pictures
What it aims to doWhat it aims to do• Promote games and learning• Act as a centre that teachers and educational
managers can visit• Develop a community of interested partners
– Education, academic & industry
• Nurture, support and celebrate effective and innovative practice with games
• Address cynicism and ‘moral panic’ associated with games based learning
• Embed games and learning in ACfE
Literacy through gamesLiteracy through games• Text driven narratives encouraging
reading and writing– Phoenix Wright, Hotel Dusk
• Tracey Beaker, Shobna, Jungle Adventure
– Myst with Tim Rylands– Developing a game character
• Exploiting games related contexts– Crazy Talk
• A little bit more adventurous…– Guitar Hero/Singstar thematic approach
Numeracy and gamesNumeracy and games• Increasing range of games that present
cognitive challenge– Nintendo Touch Generations
• Doctor Kawashima, Big Brain Academy
– St Columba’s PS Nintendo project• 3 schools: one with Nintendo DS, one with Brain
Gym, one control group• 10 week treatment period• Pre and post tests: Burnett Self Scale and age
appropriate Maths test
New TechnologiesNew Technologies• Games are incorporating the full
range of new technologies to enhance the game experience:– Eye Toy– Dance Mats
• Sonica Spanish• Ramba Studios: Phonics dance mat
– Nintendo Wii– Buzz
Game play in politicsGame play in politics• Music, literature, art used as vehicles
for political protest…now games :– Madrid– September 12th– Darfur is Dying
• Learning about citizenship and politics?– Prime Minister election simulator
• Games in History– David McDivitt
Power to create games!Power to create games!• An ethos of creation and not just
consumption is required:– Gamemaker– Thinking Worlds– Missionmaker– Neverwinter Nights new
• Microsoft– Opening up Xbox coding
Get involved!Get involved!
• Aberdeenshire is planning three pilot projects:– Star Qualities– Myst– Crazy Talk
• If interested, contact Anna Rossvoll• Let me know if you do anything
independent, ‘games’‘games’ related activity
Let’s be realistic…Let’s be realistic…• Successful learners require good
teachers• This is another way through which we
can engage digital natives• We need to explore this medium but
we need to be open-minded• Schools needs to appreciate the
changing societal landscape and evolve accordingly
