Learning to Read through Video Games

Hannah Tennant-Moore — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:30:00 GMT

Increasingly, books for children and young adults are being released with related video games. Since 97 percent of children ages 12 to 17 play computer and video games, this seems like a surefire to draw at least some reluctant readers into books. But when libraries host gaming tournaments and elementary schools incorporate video games into English lessons, you have to wonder, “Is this still reading?”

A large number of writers, publicists, and educators believe it is—and that, in the age of digital media, computer skills may be more important than proficiency with print media.

PJ Haarsma is a former advertising consultant who now designs online games about his science fiction novels for preteens. He argues that pairing video games with young adult literature “brings the book into their world, as opposed to going the other way around.”

But, as I pointed out in my tribute to Roald Dahl, the mark of a good book is precisely the ability to get lost in it, to live inside a world of which one has no experiential knowledge. This is particularly important for children, who largely learn empathy, respect for the imagination, and the value of introspection through reading. When one is being tested about a book’s plot in order to advance in a video game, the quiet, self-forgetful pleasure of being lost in a good book gets obliterated completely. Children learn that the only character who matters is the one holding the controller.

Photo: New York Times

Banned Books Week

Kids Using iPods to Cheat in School

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 14:01:00 GMT

As a parent I probably shouldn't even admit this, but I think using your iPod to cheat on tests is brilliant! I'm not making this up. I read it on CNN. I mean, this somehow seems more advanced than a regular old cheat sheet or writing a formula on your arm. (Not that I ever did anything like that.)

Some of the new digital media players are so small that they are easy to hide up your sleeve. The ear buds are tiny enough to hide from an inattentive teacher. The kids are saving math or chemistry formulas on their iPods. Some of the students are using Schoolhouse Rock to cheat on history exams. Other students are dowloading crib notes and hiding them in their text files.

Reading this made me feel really old. I have an iPod and I didn't even know I could download crib notes. I didn't know it had text files either. Hmph.

So anyway, a lot of schools are banning digital media players because of this. Some teachers and students say that schools shouldn't bother with the ban, these children will find a way to cheat anyway. Other teachers are even impressed that the kids are working out new ways to cheat. It's critical thinking, right?

Strollerderby : digital media

Learning to Read through Video Games

Kids Using iPods to Cheat in School