Good Learning

This article really made me view video games differently. I usually just play them for fun and I don't think about how much they challenge my brain. Some games are definitely less challenging than others, but they all require interaction and thinking of some kind. The points he  made reminded me of escape rooms. Escape rooms are basically like a real life video game where people use clues to solve puzzles and get out of a room. I love doing them because I feel like I am 'exercising' my brain. I never thought of video games doing the same thing.

I thought this article presented many valid points. I play video games frequently, so I have experienced the situations presented in this article first hand. The techniques involved in gaming are precisely what keeps gamers engaged, so it is definitely fair to assume that these techniques would translate to the classroom. One critique I have of the article - the author only presented suggestions, not solutions. While the author obviously did their research to present learning techniques, they didn't suggest ways to implement these strategies in the classroom.

I found the author's connection of video games and learning really interesting. I've never really thought about how these aspects could be implemented to make traditional education more engaging. I think that the production learning principle is particularly relevant to our class in that we are able to actually create content rather than solely reading literature. This article also highlights one of the advantages that we have in the twine medium in his discussion of the "On Demand" learning principle. The author's explanation demonstrates how the control of words can shape a player's engagement level by only providing words when the reader is ready.

I really enjoyed this alternative taking and playing video games. Although video games are socially deemed immature and thought to be a waste of time, it is important to view video games as a source of education for our youth. I think this article becomes increasingly important when identifying the potential for growth in our education system.

This article made me reconsider video games and the impact they have on youth. The author made many good points about aspects of games that make so many young people flock to them, and how those same aspects could be applied in school to make learning as engaging as a video game is. I love what the author said about video games not having as high stakes as schools do and that encourages the gamer to play more. Similarly, I believe students would be more willing to learn in school if their worth was not defined by numbers on a report card, which then affects what college they get into, which then can affect the rest of their lives. It makes the smallest quiz or test seem like the end of the world if failed. But if students were not measured in this way and so restricted, they would be less afraid to fail and more encouraged to engage in class and school work. 

I enjoyed reading this author's take on the benefit of video games. While I had always viewed video games as a medium to practice problem solving skills, I hadn't considered the fact that video games were actually representative of the human brain trying to learn things. One part I found particularly interesting was the section where he talked about the difference between learning biology and doing biology. I realized that without context, all things are simply facts. Hopefully this encourages the way schools teach information to change. 

I thought that this article provided some compelling points supporting how good video games can be very helpful and educational for people. I have a few friends who love playing video games and would explain to me that there are many beneficial skills taught through gaming. Although I have never been interested in gaming myself, I do agree that people can learn essential skills, such as problem-solving,  team-building, and decision-making, from playing these games. I thought it was cool how the author listed an abundance of learning principles that good video games provide. He makes a strong point when comparing each element to how it's missing or lacking in a classroom setting and how it can be incorporated more into a school curriculum.

This article definitely allowed me to reflect on my own educational experiences in the classroom. After reading this, I made parallels between video games and my favorite classes — the classes I enjoyed and learned from the most cultivated an environment of application, questioning, challenge, interaction, and problem-solving. I particularly agree with the claim that video games also foster risk-taking, which promotes the idea that failure is essential for progress. The ideas presented in this essay are interesting and valid; it would be even more helpful if these ideas were expanded upon to include solutions that reform the classroom setting.

I really liked the metaphor that the author used. I agreed with the points that the author brought up; learning should be practical for the real world. As someone with low attention span, it's hard for me to focus on many concepts at once, especially when it's constantly presented in the same manner. Words are bleak substitute for experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this article and how it highlighted the learning process that playing a vide game entails. Video games tend to receive a negative stigma from the public. Most view video games as a pointless and even harmful activity that "kills brain cells." However, this article pointed out many benefits to video games and the correlation between learning and playing games. I think that implementing the strategies suggested in the article surrounding playing video games into a traditional education setting. However no true solution was presented as to how this implementation would work. Overall, I enjoyed the perspective of this article. 

I really liked this essay. I've heard this sort of argument before when I took a sociology class a few years ago. I feel like it's a well written explanation of how a video game, or any sort of technology really, could lead to an improved way of learning. Of course, I also think that, in the case of children, it depends on the kid's own maturity. Some people can become addicted to gaming, and starting at an early age can do more harm than good. However, at the basic level, and based of the essay, I would agree with the points and evidence he presented it the positive effects video games can have.  

I am a big proponent of learning from things that work well and applying their tactics to other situations. Using video games as a model for education is a prime example of this phenomenon, so this article was very interesting to me. I loved how the author organized this article through 16 unique aspects of video games and analyzed why these aspects work and how they could be related to education. One thing that would have improved the article is more specific explanation of how to apply these ideas within schools. It's crucial that educators read articles like this and think outside the box about education since some of the best ideas often sound the craziest in the beginning.

I am a big proponent of learning from things that work well and applying their tactics to other situations. Using video games as a model for education is a prime example of this phenomenon, so this article was very interesting to me. I loved how the author organized this article through 16 unique aspects of video games and analyzed why these aspects work and how they could be related to education. One thing that would have improved the article is more specific explanation of how to apply these ideas within schools. It's crucial that educators read articles like this and think outside the box about education since some of the best ideas often sound the craziest in the beginning.

I found this article to be very interesting; normally, you only hear that video games are rotting kids brains and making them lazy––this is the first valid argument that I have seen in their support. The writer of this article points out the major points to video games, in essence saying that video games foster a willingness and some degree of fondness to struggle against problems in attempt to achieve some goal. School is no different, he argues, in that students are expected to struggle against problems and information in order to gain knowledge and succeed, except in schools, the idea of kids growing fond of this struggle is unrealistic. He offers valid points of the practicality of video game learning and the doors it could open for education––potentially moving education from a stagnant display of memorization and repetition to a constantly moving adventure which captures the attention of students and helps them retain and apply information further. 

This article sheds light on the flaws of the current education system. Learning has ceased to be an engaging, dynamic process. Rather, it revolves around regurgitating specific information and aligning with rigid standards. Learning is an individual experience; thus, a narrow approach to teaching is not effective. Having learning resemble games would foster creative energy and cater to the flexible nature of learning. In elementary school, games were employed to teach, and they captivated us. A genuine spirit for learning existed. As we continued our educational careers, games and intriguing activities gradually disappeared, and this genuine spirit was also extinguished. Learning should not be regarded as a burden—it's a perpetual process we cannot escape. Learning and having fun are not mutually exclusive. 

This article makes many valid points about video games and how they promote learning and problem solving. Even for a child as young as Sam, video games allowed for intuitive thinking at an early age, which will benefit him in the long run. Not only does the article do a great job explaining the benefits of video games, but the article also points out the flaws in the education system's attempt to create these same skill sets. However, the article lacked in the sense that it did not provide solutions for these problems. Overall, I though the article was very insightful, and it definitely changed the way I think about video games in general.

I found this reading very interesting because I have never really thought about what makes video games so addictive. I also realized while readings that the classes I've enjoyed taking most incorporate multiple tools that the author lists in the reading.

I felt inspired by this article for multiple reasons. I have been playing video games most of my life and recently have been feeling guilty on the time I spent on them because my older peers would tell me it "rots" my brain. I feel more confident in my challenging and puzzling video games now and feel like I can truly reflect on how they have positively impacted me as well.

I never play video games and I had a few preconceived notions about them before reading this article. Many of these ideas were later proved wrong by the end of "Good Learning." Personally, the most interesting aspect of this article was the point it made about the consequences of failure. I agree that video games allow for more room for "risk, exploration, and failure," and students would benefit greatly if schools allowed for the same.

I personally found this article very interesting many points that were made caught my attention. As an avid gamer, I could attest for all of the principles of good gaming presented by the author. More specifically, I could related to the "pleasantly frustrating" aspect of the games because nto only do I get frustrated while playing but i also watch others who plays the game, such as friends, and become frustrated but the "pleasant" aspect of it is that they become more driven to play the game. 

I found this article to be really interesting and I agree with many of the points made by the author about the positive impacts that video games could make on education. Most of what we hear about the impact of video games on learning is quite negative but I agree that there is potential for certain games to actually enrich the learning environment. Video games allow people to feel more engaged in the task, yet free to make some of their own choices and to control how they learn best. I also agree that video games can change the way that we problem-solve in a positive way and I would be really interested to see how this idea could be implemented in a classroom setting. 

I found this article to be very interesting and I have to say that I grew up playing video games and truly allowed my mind to explore new things. Video games always allowed me to take "risk-free" risks and sharpened my mind and cognition. Puzzle games and sudoko have been proven to have a lasting positive impact on the mind and now schools have to find a way to healthily and successfully integrate them into the school setting and dynamic.