Video games in the classroom. That lone phrase produces two different reactions: from kids, excited joy; from parents, bone-chilling fear.
While parents are afraid video games will corrupt their children into becoming button-stomping automatons, a new survey seeks to quell overbearing anxiety. The Teaching with Games report, commissioned by Electronic Arts (EA), found that 59 per cent of U.K. teachers would consider using off-the-shelf games in the classroom. Not surprisingly, close to two-thirds of surveyed students wanted to use games at school.
Is this news? Video games are omnipresent in schools, even when I attended junior high. I’ll never forget the simple graphics of Oregon Trail or the mind-scratching levels of King’s Quest. When Tetris descended on the world, teachers were quick to point out the educational aspect of the one of the world’s most popular games.
This report would be news if the survey questioned teachers and students about console games. Sorry, there’s no illuminated insight into using Nintendo Wii games or PlayStation 3 shoot-em-ups. In fact, bringing Wii into the classroom would do a lot more good than introducing kids to touch-typing through a lame game. The innovation behind Wii allows the user to exercise physically while mentally navigating strategic missions, made possible by a remote-type controller using a motion sensor.
But education systems — in the U.K. and elsewhere — have not looked beyond the computer box. Rather, the EA survey proves a more telling fact: Video game manufacturers are trying to convince the public they’re not such bad guys after all. Since EA commissioned the survey, it gives the impression EA is trying to save face amidst U.S. government allegations that video games spark violence in teens.
Surveys don’t change policy, though, only action can do that. It’s all well and good for 59 per cent of teachers to consider bringing video games into the classroom. That’s no big deal. But what if they actually succeeded in what they were considering? What if teachers opened their policy to not only Flash-based educational games, but also next-gen console games that have been proven to develop dexterity, promote advanced decision-making and add an element of fun into the classroom? Sure, Halo wouldn’t be a top choice, but The Legend of Zelda would capture the attention of the most ADD-afflicted student.
Here’s hoping school boards can be as open-minded as students want them to be.
