Parents Angry Over Educational Videogame

[daftalchemist]

"What the recall is, is not the prime number they were talking about but rather getting through to the enemy,"

So what? People use memorization techniques all the time. Does that mean we shouldn't allow the teaching of the ABCs in song form because all the kids are recalling are a familiar tune? When you can associate information with something memorable, you remember it! Crazy idea!

 

[Ardenon]

I would just like to point out something I haven't noticed in this thread yet. As I see it, people here are just looking at the article from their own point of view. Here's the idea which allot of people have left out for some reason: In their time, it didn't take any video games for a person to receive proper education, which makes them unnecessary in the first place. Second, thanks to posts like this: http://kotaku.com/5550609/man-spends-six-months-plotting-murder-of-counter+strike-rival , video games will Always have a negative impression, no matter the intention. Above that, they state "We are feeding the addiction of these children to video games,". An addict would not consider such a thing, and even try to prove the opposite. To clarify a bit, another point of view is: Why consider to use a method, that is so closely related to murders and injuries, when you don't have to. Why a child is sent to an Educational facility where such methods are used is another question. If their parents can't teach them properly, with out the use of video games, or are forced to send them to a school where they are used, then its that families problems. The other question that comes after that, is wether to continue with the system, or drop it.
In my opinion, it is rather narrow minded to judge the decision of these people solely basing on your point of view. And the fact that they pointed it out to the media, well then, good for them?
I possibly forgot something, please reply if something is left uncertain.

 

[Gamegodtre]

I agree with her.

Math Blaster is pretty violent. I still have nightmares from that game

its actually thanks to that game that i started to love math and now im taking Calc 3 next semester so the game worked

 

[LoopyDood]

"No, we don't complain about children playing violent games and bring up how bad it is for them. " Read what I said again, you guys complain about the /parents/, because the parents let kids play games and blame it for their bad behaviour.

Hm, well, you got me there.

 

[Treblaine]

Student Jonathan Burton said he didn't know what prime numbers were before he played the game, but Perrotte wasn't buying it. "What the recall is, is not the prime number they were talking about but rather getting through to the enemy," she said.

I don't think even the parent knows what prime numbers are. Probably thinks they are the same thing as even numbers.

 

[ReverseEngineered]

Did anybody play Math Munchers in school? Everybody in my class -- even those who didn't particularly like math -- liked that game. Just like the game in this story, it was basically a glorified series of flash cards, but it rewarded fast, accurate answers. And yes, there was some "violence" in it (you ate the numbers like they were flies, if I remember correctly), but there is violence in everything.

Young boys play guns, army, and cops and robbers from a very early age and movies and cartoons are full of violent behavior. Why do video games always get a double-standard?

Kudos to the school for giving the game away and giving parents the opportunity to play it. More parents should take this opportunity -- it's part of being a parent! Learn what your kids are playing so you can make a rational decision about whether or not it is appropriate. That includes all games, from Math Munchers to Grand Theft Auto. And don't knock it until you've tried it.


(As an aside, has anybody else noticed that video games have been mixed into that group of things that corrupt our youth along with masturbation, porn, swearing, and rock music that parents -- and more often, the elderly -- love to complain about? It's as if every generation thinks the next generation is infinitely malleable and is just waiting for something immoral to come along and twist it. Somehow, they always forget what they did as kids.)

 

[Pinstar]

*face palms* ugh really parents? really?

Because school sucked and was boring for them when they were growing up, so why should the kids actually have any fun learning?

 

[Treblaine]

I would just like to point out something I haven't noticed in this thread yet. As I see it, people here are just looking at the article from their own point of view. Here's the idea which allot of people have left out for some reason: In their time, it didn't take any video games for a person to receive proper education, which makes them unnecessary in the first place.

We're not talking about a "good enough" education, we're not talking about slogging through basic-mathematics. Have you ANY FREAKING IDEA how hard it is to make science intersting to children?!!? If they aren't interested, they WON'T LEARN.

There is HUGE areas for improvements as science, maths and other highly technical jobs have a barrier as starting out there is nothing that most children find interesting. Only the brightest and most attentive children get the foot up needed in sciences, this video game clearly increases that by showing relevant results of scientific approach.

Second, thanks to posts like this: http://kotaku.com/5550609/man-spends-six-months-plotting-murder-of-counter+strike-rival , video games will Always have a negative impression, no matter the intention. Above that, they state "We are feeding the addiction of these children to video games,". An addict would not consider such a thing, and even try to prove the opposite. To clarify a bit, another point of view is: Why consider to use a method, that is so closely related to murders and injuries, when you don't have to. Why a child is sent to an Educational facility where such methods are used is another question. If their parents can't teach them properly, with out the use of video games, or are forced to send them to a school where they are used, then its that families problems. The other question that comes after that, is wether to continue with the system, or drop it.
In my opinion, it is rather narrow minded to judge the decision of these people solely basing on your point of view. And the fact that they pointed it out to the media, well then, good for them?
I possibly forgot something, please reply if something is left uncertain.

Just because and addict MAY defend their habit, that doesn't mean EVERYTHING people like to do is indefensible because their minds are twisted. Particularly it must be noted that video games are not addictive, there is NO withdrawal symptoms from supposed "gaming addicts". Certain people game a lot and are labelled "addicts" because their life sucks and they have nothing better to do. Just like you can't get addicted to weed - it's clinically proven - but if you have no drive in life you can just sit around all day getting high.

(PS: I don't smoke weed at all - I have better things to do... like play video games :S)

" Why consider to use a method, that is so closely related to murders and injuries, when you don't have to."

There is NO LINK between video games and murder.

Think about the GARGANTUAN population of China - of the entire world actually - and they have only one or two cases of murder even remotely linked to video games, and ABSOLUTELY NO causal link. That's just random chance.

This is like saying "you can't use educational films, look at how many crimes are closely related to films and movies"

It's like saying a school can't host soccer/football games due to football hooliganism and riots in Europe.

"The other question that comes after that, is wether to continue with the system, or drop it."

of course continue with the system:

(1) the teachers all agree it is having positive results, the children admit it has increased their interest in science - key areas for a good career and rewarding adulthood
(2) the parent's point of complaint are groundless and illogical. You should be ignored along with creationists, if they really object they can throw the game in the bin but school-time = game-time if the education experts say so.

 

[Sneaky Paladin]

Fucking hell. They don't even care about the child's education anymore they just despise video games. And who cares if they don't care about maths and only care about getting to the next enemy, it will subliminally (spelling?) teach them, it will seep into their minds and make them smarter.

Don't make me summon Cthulu Mother Fucker!

I love how we'll always have a good role model like cthulu to set these kids straight.

But seriously, Using addiction to help them learn? And they're complaining.

It's like making a smoker stop smoking by giving them a cigarette for every gross picture they look at. I don't think they'll keep smoking for long.

 

[Lyri]

There is a video of it on the link Andy gave, it looks like a Crysis Clone where they hunt numbers instead of soldiers.

Well, alrighty seems like I missed that one but I wonder how many others who posted here did.

I can sort of see where the parents are coming from, not the addiction to video games lark, but that game doesn't seem to have a place in a school.
Maybe if they swapped out the guns for something like a gravity gun and made it more of a Myst type game, then sure.

 

[Julianking93]

Parents sure can suck sometimes.

 

[Estocavio]

Well i think that it should be allowed...
Ok, i have to do this.

*Person gets run over by a car, and lies bleeding to death on the sidewalk. An Ambulance arrives and runs the wounded person over, then gets out and asks a pedestrian what the problem is.*
Teacher: "Ok, kids... ah... hmm..."

 

[Ardenon]

We're not talking about a "good enough" education, we're not talking about slogging through basic-mathematics. Have you ANY FREAKING IDEA how hard it is to make science intersting to children?!!? If they aren't interested, they WON'T LEARN.

There is HUGE areas for improvements as science, maths and other highly technical jobs have a barrier as starting out there is nothing that most children find interesting. Only the brightest and most attentive children get the foot up needed in sciences, this video game clearly increases that by showing relevant results of scientific approach.

As good idea as it may sound, making children Like to learn using addictive methods is not the best idea. If he is not interested when shown the basics, then sure as hell he won't put much effort in to learning that particular lesson. If you show them at their younger age things like mindless cartoons, video games or anything close to mind consuming areas of interest, there is more than enough chance that they will stick to that for a very very long time. It happens to everybody, but if I had to choose, then I'd read my children books more than let them watch TV. I don't know how you bring up your kids, but anything close to making or forcing them in to doing just about anything can be questioned, just like those people are questioning this system. I never said the option should be left out, it too much depends on the situation, but making children see like "Look at the pritty numbers on the screen and how they interact with the UI" is not my or these parents type of proper education.

" Why consider to use a method, that is so closely related to murders and injuries, when you don't have to."

There is NO LINK between video games and murder.

It's just a matter of googeling for 2 minutes to find things like this http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_24_15/ai_54968253/
added to the original link, video games are connected to both injuries And murder.

"The other question that comes after that, is wether to continue with the system, or drop it."

of course continue with the system:

(1) the teachers all agree it is having positive results, the children admit it has increased their interest in science - key areas for a good career and rewarding adulthood
(2) the parent's point of complaint are groundless and illogical. You should be ignored along with creationists, if they really object they can throw the game in the bin but school-time = game-time if the education experts say so.

Too much of the above is based on your own opinion, and the opinion of a certain number of others, but not even a majority. If you are influenced that the idea is great, it's not always like that.

 

[Evilsanta]

Just wow... I hade a lot of educatnational games that was somewhat voilent but didnt screw me up and really made me interested in math and stuff. Though i do suck at math...and i might spend a little to much time at the computer but who doesnt? Right? right?

 

[Mordreich]

That's what you get for letting Nancy Grace teach parents how to do their jobs.

 

[Treblaine]

We're not talking about a "good enough" education, we're not talking about slogging through basic-mathematics. Have you ANY FREAKING IDEA how hard it is to make science intersting to children?!!? If they aren't interested, they WON'T LEARN.

There is HUGE areas for improvements as science, maths and other highly technical jobs have a barrier as starting out there is nothing that most children find interesting. Only the brightest and most attentive children get the foot up needed in sciences, this video game clearly increases that by showing relevant results of scientific approach.

As good idea as it may sound, making children Like to learn using addictive methods is not the best idea. If he is not interested when shown the basics, then sure as hell he won't put much effort in to learning that particular lesson. If you show them at their younger age things like mindless cartoons, video games or anything close to mind consuming areas of interest, there is more than enough chance that they will stick to that for a very very long time. It happens to everybody, but if I had to choose, then I'd read my children books more than let them watch TV. I don't know how you bring up your kids, but anything close to making or forcing them in to doing just about anything can be questioned, just like those people are questioning this system. I never said the option should be left out, it too much depends on the situation, but making children see like "Look at the pritty numbers on the screen and how they interact with the UI" is not my or these parents type of proper education.

" Why consider to use a method, that is so closely related to murders and injuries, when you don't have to."

There is NO LINK between video games and murder.

It's just a matter of googeling for 2 minutes to find things like this http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1571/is_24_15/ai_54968253/
added to the original link, video games are connected to both injuries And murder.

"The other question that comes after that, is wether to continue with the system, or drop it."

of course continue with the system:

(1) the teachers all agree it is having positive results, the children admit it has increased their interest in science - key areas for a good career and rewarding adulthood
(2) the parent's point of complaint are groundless and illogical. You should be ignored along with creationists, if they really object they can throw the game in the bin but school-time = game-time if the education experts say so.

Too much of the above is based on your own opinion, and the opinion of a certain number of others, but not even a majority. If you are influenced that the idea is great, it's not always like that.

What a load of nonsense.

Your post does not warrant any more of a reply than that.

 

[swolf]

Parents Angry Over Educational Videogame

Parents in New Mexico are upset over an after-school program for kids that features an educational videogame they say is "feeding the addiction" to gaming.

Near the end of May, Action 7 News in Albuquerque, New Mexico, reported [http://www.koat.com/education/23704486/detail.html] on a popular new videogame that sixth-grade kids were playing in school after class. But there was a twist: The "high-action" game with "all the bells and whistles" is actually educational, requiring kids to use math skills ranging from basic properties to algebra in order to advance. Teacher Gary Bodman raved about the success of the program, saying, "It's unbelievable. You can see what's going on here, and this is for mathematics."

But some parents aren't as enthusiastic about the situation as Bodman. "We are feeding the addiction of these children to videogames," said parent Marlene Perrotte. She accused the game of being too violent for a school environment, claiming that the action was what the kids liked about it, not its educational value. "They were all excited... because of the violence," she added.

Bodman described the game as a "21st century flash card" and noted that it simply reinforces what the students learn in their normal classes. "They can use jetpacks and at the same time they have to know what the associative property is," he said. "Anything we can do to meet the kids on their own grounds and educate them is to our advantage."

Student Jonathan Burton said he didn't know what prime numbers were before he played the game, but Perrotte wasn't buying it. "What the recall is, is not the prime number they were talking about but rather getting through to the enemy," she said.

The school plans to give copies of the game to kids to take home and play over the summer and added that it would be "more than happy" to let worried parents try it out so they can see its value for themselves. I have a feeling that's an invitation at least one parent will decline.

Source: KOAT.com [http://www.koat.com/news/23811160/detail.html]


Permalink

Do they also want to ban books from school? Or television? If not, they are hypocrites and should shut up. Also, people that try to overprotect/shield their children are typically "shocked" when it turns out with the opposite effect. Film example: Rose from "Titantic". Real life example, a friend I knew who was a preacher's son but later got into drugs, tattooing, and being a collector for drug dealers.

 

[Chogg Van Helsing]

Parents Angry Over Educational Videogame

Parents in New Mexico are upset over an after-school program for kids that features an educational videogame they say is "feeding the addiction" to gaming.

Near the end of May, Action 7 News in Albuquerque, New Mexico, reported [http://www.koat.com/education/23704486/detail.html] on a popular new videogame that sixth-grade kids were playing in school after class. But there was a twist: The "high-action" game with "all the bells and whistles" is actually educational, requiring kids to use math skills ranging from basic properties to algebra in order to advance. Teacher Gary Bodman raved about the success of the program, saying, "It's unbelievable. You can see what's going on here, and this is for mathematics."

But some parents aren't as enthusiastic about the situation as Bodman. "We are feeding the addiction of these children to videogames," said parent Marlene Perrotte. She accused the game of being too violent for a school environment, claiming that the action was what the kids liked about it, not its educational value. "They were all excited... because of the violence," she added.

Bodman described the game as a "21st century flash card" and noted that it simply reinforces what the students learn in their normal classes. "They can use jetpacks and at the same time they have to know what the associative property is," he said. "Anything we can do to meet the kids on their own grounds and educate them is to our advantage."

Student Jonathan Burton said he didn't know what prime numbers were before he played the game, but Perrotte wasn't buying it. "What the recall is, is not the prime number they were talking about but rather getting through to the enemy," she said.

The school plans to give copies of the game to kids to take home and play over the summer and added that it would be "more than happy" to let worried parents try it out so they can see its value for themselves. I have a feeling that's an invitation at least one parent will decline.

Source: KOAT.com [http://www.koat.com/news/23811160/detail.html]


Permalink

Do they also want to ban books from school? Or television? If not, they are hypocrites and should shut up. Also, people that try to overprotect/shield their children are typically "shocked" when it turns out with the opposite effect. Film example: Rose from "Titantic". Real life example, a friend I knew who was a preacher's son but later got into drugs, tattooing, and being a collector for drug dealers.

personally, if i enjoy something, i will learn about it and how it works. ppl should use it to their advantage, not shut it down without chance

 

[gunsandyoga]

www.dimensionu.com

 

[Phantomess]

Yeah!
Fight the educational games, or we'll get rampant mathematicians!

I had a giggle over this. In '42' (a third season Doctor Who ep), the Doctor complains that they don't teach recreational mathematics anymore.

Well, now we know they do, but idiot parents are trying to bring it down. Boo! Hiss! Shame! XD