Double Journal Entry 9

Quote:  This means that the game is engaging and doable, but challenging. (Admin, 2012) 


So many times we are not able to see the means to the end.  Homework assignments, class work and often times when we are being introduced to a subject we often wonder, why?  Why do we need to know this? Why is this important?  When will I ever use this in real life?  I think reason we feel this way is because it is BORING!  If one thinks about a game or learning a new game it is not boring.  It can be frustrating but we know there is a way to get to the next level.  We know there is a method or a way to figure out our mistakes, for some reason it is easier to have a computer game to say "level fail" or not complete than receiving a "F" on an assignment.  We are challenged when we play a game.  Not very often are we given the chance to correct mistakes on papers or test over and over again until we KNOW what we are doing before we move on to the next level or next assignment. Part of what makes it hard for students to be motivated is because what’s taught is taught out of context… It’s harder to learn material than way than when it’s applied in an actual real-world situation. Trigonometry is much more interesting when you’re trying to build a bridge (Carvin 2012).  If we are learning to build a bridge to defeat an unseen enemy or to rescue a damsel in distress we will work on the problem until it is finished in order to make it to the next level.  It becomes real time learning, not a question as to when will we ever use this stuff again.






Reference: 
Admin. (2012, January 20). Learning in gaming . Retrieved from http://www.learningingaming.com/10-things-schools-can-learn-from-video-games/ 
Carvin, A.. Should Video Games Replace Classroom Learning?. N.p., 2008. Web. 25 Mar 2012. <http://www.pbs.org/teachers/learning.now/2008/03/should_video_games_replace_cla.html>.