EDLD 5364 Week 5

“The research tells us that not all students realize the importance of effort. Many attribute their success or failure to external forces.  After watching some of the videos this week, I was intrigued by the concept of gaming as a teaching and learning tool. I have never played video games of any kind.  There are many online games that require higher order thinking skills in order to have any means of success as a player. Players must learn to use strategy as well as problem solving and team work in order to progress and level. The game is never the same due to changes in players, locations, and scenarios of the game. Typically there are many failed attempts before success is achieved. The interesting thing about these games is that the game is constantly changing therefore the player must decide what approach to take everytime in order to succeed. The crazy thing is that no matter how many times a player fails, they typically try again and again until they figure out what strategy will work.  Well effort means alot and the players realize that sometimes no matter how hard they try, it takes many times in order to succeed. Each time they fail, they learn something that they should or shouldn't do in order to get it right the next time. The crazy thing is, about the time they think they have something mastered and figured out the whole scenario changes and they have to reevaluate what  to do next. Isn't that what learning should be about? Shouldn't we be using and teaching students how to apply higher order thinking skills and problem solve?

This brings a new light on the quote above about external forces. I can see how students feel that things going on externally determine who or what they are and disregard their own efforts. They don't self monitor and see progress they have made, they just see the big picture of success or failure. Are standardized tests just setting our students up for failure? Who knows. I know there is a place for testing and accountability but progress should be monitored instead of just a grade on the test. Assessments should be something that truly show what a student can do. There may truly be a place in our education system that allows more of a game type curriculum where the text book is used as a manual to look up information or clarify it after it has been learned instead of the initial learning experience.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 156-157.