During an open mic segment on NPR, Will Wright (Creator of the Sims & Spore) takes the host chair and interviews someone who inspired him in designing his first successful video game. He is interviewing E. O. Wilson, biological evolution inheritor of Darwin’s mantle. They talked about how games are important in education. Wilson actually stated “Games are the future of education.” He said print textbooks will soon be left behind. He envisioned being able to take students on virtual fieldtrips. He mentioned how games were helping us to move away from wrong-minded teacher centered models that run counter to what has worked through human history and sociobiology. He said that the human brain is made to learn through participation, which was a pattern established in Paleolithic times. He mentioned these virtual experiences created through gaming actually encourage kids to go out and have real experiences. He mentioned his own experience as a child getting bitten by an ant at the age of 9. He mentioned that he was able to spend a huge amount of his time in the fields that grew his knowledge and curiosity.
Tomorrow I will discuss the work being done at a New York School where gaming is the focus of education. This school really echoes in reality what E. O. Wilson imagined with his evolutionary and psychobiological expertise.
Wright, W. (Producer). (2009, September 1, 2009) E.O. Wilson And Will Wright: Ant Lovers Unite! Open Mic. retrieved from http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=112203095&m=112427309
Mequel, I fully agree with this article. Today I was assigned to work with young students at the Mastery Charter School here in Philly, and the learning tools that were being used were centered around the technological/gaming theme. The students were paying attention and enjoying to learn. I guess that is why Mastery is recognized as being one of the a top schools in the nation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Mequel, great article. Can't wait to read more on gaming! I especially loved how you gave us a hook of what to look for tomorrow! Great job! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteMike and Kerry...thanks so much for visiting my blog. I know how passionate you both are about education and it's impact on young people today.
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