Learning with Video Games

By Wajih Asghar

Video games cover different aspects on one’s learning and thinking ability. However, games donot directly unveil their procedures which help us learn, most of the time while we play video games we are actually learning or training a certain part of our brain unconsciously, whether its logic and reasoning or retaining memory. Games have this amazing ability to mask their learning potential with interesting and engaging activities. These activities would depend on the game; if it is a puzzle game then you would obviously be working out your memory, other games like action and adventure help with our reflexes and ability to recall stuff that we learned earlier in the game.

Apart from all this, it would be interesting to note here that most kids learn English mostly through video games. In fact, many programs have been started to help out the disabled children learn through English and results have shown that they pick up English and puzzle solving quicker than when they would while sitting in class.

Though we might have gotten scolded a lot by our parents for playing non-stop it is now clear that video games help us more and have shown the potential for having a place in education in the near future.

The most powerful aspect of games that help us learn is that games our based on vision. We humans rely heavily on our visual senses which consume over half of our brains resources and are able to recall things (which we have seen) quickly as compared when we use our other senses to learn.

Lastly, games help us with some highly unthought-of aspects such as patience and discipline. Take an example, if you’re stuck on a game level that is continuously beating you and you can’t get past it you have to be patient, if you’re not you’re still going to lose, so regardless of how you react to it, you are still going to be taught to be patient by video games and be disciplined by them. If you are patient enough, you might even develop a sense of optimism.

So games not only help us in learning they also help to make slight adjustments to our behaviors.

GAMIFICATION — Playing or Learning???

By Amna Ejaz

Have you ever logged in to Facebook or any other social site just to play online games? Have you ever noticed how you connect to the people around the globe by just connecting to any online game such as the Sims, poker or 8-pool? This is all because people are addictive to such games and these games are not only for fun, but these games also affect their cognitive thinking.

Games are not only for the purpose of fun but they are also a good source of learning. You know when you are playing counterstrike or tekken you are continuously using your cognitive skills to think critically for the next move.

There are different types of games which are being played and practiced in professional fields also. Such games are called “serious games” specially designed for learning purposes. Fields such as military, medicine, corporate education and other departments have made serious games a part of their training because it helps them to learn more effectively about natural and virtual environment. These serious games, due to their graphics and 2D/3D effects help to learn better and effectively. Nintendo Wii can be taken as the best example of serious game as it not only helps the player to think critically but it also allows him to move and play physically as it works with senses.

Different sites such as EVE online, America’s army, habbo.com etc offer these serious games. As the trend of these games is getting more, the need of such game designers is taking hype. As making a game requires a team of different people specializing in graphics, designing, layouts, paper and documentation work, so it is very important to have train learners in such field of technology.

In UK, England’ North West Learning grid has launched DIDA diploma which offers 4000 learning objects and 300 serious games. They train their students about skilled programs like adobe suites so that not only professionally but people with lesser compatibility can also be able to use these programs.

The way how the trend of serious games is coming in, and the way serious games are becoming a part of people’s life, it is very important to have students to get admission in these fields and to study JavaScript, C programming, arts, animations, story-telling and other designing software’s so that more and more serious games should be launched and more and more techniques of learning should be introduced.

Are Video Games Really Powerful Tools for Learning?

By Shahrukh Khan

One good memory from our childhood is stuck with video games. This proves that a part of human mind development is constituted by the practice of playing various video games. The referred article states the notion of development by usage of video game “Peacemaker” in the class which assisted students to learn foreign policy, geographical national boundary tactics, and opt for various determinations for the state. Moreover, the game provides a platform to act as a negotiator or a politician which is immensely beneficial.
One can believe that it is a substantial commodity to nourish tactical skills for students. It also assists students to extend critical thinking skills. The intriguing storyline in modern video games form an essence of emotional attachment. I remember I played a video game named “The last of us” and I literally formed an emotional bond with the riveting plot line.
There are various impediments and drawback regarding video games which can’t be omitted is that the cost of console gaming is quite expensive. The argument is not merely elucidating that it is the only source of learning but also a source of entertainment. So, is the cost invested in console gaming for learning provides adequate comparative advantage? Secondly what positives do we acquire from games like Grand Theft auto (which includes violence, raving, abduction and salacity)?

Games: An Effective Tool for Learning

By Komal Emmanuel

Games are being used for educational purposes.Does’NT it sound fascinating? Not only for kids but for me as well. Some of the researchers reflected that games proved to be effective tool for learning. Advancement in technology is so rapid these days I think ten or twenty years from now people will not be able to breathe without technology. It is just an assumption rather than you can consider it myth or a joke.

However the fact cannot be denied at all that technology has both negative and positive aspects simultaneously so does the games.Studenrs achievement can greatly be enhanced by the use of games in the classroom. In today’s technology rich world we often see kids playing games on their ipads, cellphones, and computerps2s and so on. Kids love to play games so why not tap into that interest us a function in increasing student motivation to learn academic concepts?

Robert Marzan, a learning education researcher has observed that in more than 60 studied conducts by classroom teaches on an average using academic games in the classroom is associated with a 20 percentile point gain in student achievement.Inspite of the fact when evaluations were conducted the students expressed that the classrooms were a fun they did not even know that they are learning only for the teachers who incorporated games in learning. Last but not the least one of the middle school witnessed as the result of using game increased classroom participation, enchance understanding of concepts react in improved assessments.

In order to support my view point I have an example how games can be used in classrooms to make it an interactive class. The name of the activity will be WILL THE WINNER LOSE proved to be an extremely effective review games. Students are divided into teams. It totally depends on classroom size and dynamics. This is not a game of speed and than they are not racing to see who gives the answer first. As these teams are competing with each they will able to think critically. Each team is given a question and given time to come up with the answer. If they proved a correct answer each of the other team have an option to pick a correct or to pass. In the other teams pick a negative card and they lose point. The next team then is asked a question and then the game continues.

Furthermore one of the articles depicted that war video games proved to be beneficial in the history class where students able to understand their topics. Although these games has merits for education but I do not favor to use such violent games. As these games contains violence which will results in psychological disorders in students such as depression and aggression. One of a very famous game Grand theft auto was banned in many European countries due to its extreme violence. Despite of PG the government took an initiative to ban it as parents cannot always supervise their children to refrain them from playing these games.

But if we look at this perspective in the terms of Pakistan where students come from different backgrounds. Not all the students hold the same financial status. In addition some of them do not even have the clue how to use video games? I n this case situation prevails to be thought provoking. Their cognitive learning will not be to the level where they could think critically on spot regarding games. This problem can be solved if the stakeholders pay attention towards it and invest more money for providing students with initial games from grade 1.In this way they will learn how to play as well as increase their mental capabilities especially for those who do not has access to such luxurious. So, this method cannot b e implemented in P akistan.I am leaving you with a question is it right to use games as tool for learning in classrooms or not?

References: Education World Lesson Planning: Will the Winners Lose http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp321-04.shtml

Education World Lesson Planning: Will the Winners Lose http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/03/lp321-04.shtml

 

 

Cell Phone – A helping or destructive tool?

By Asghar Nadeem

If you are a student then which favorite entertaining tool you see in the classroom? Cell phones. Lots of them. Virtually all students have one, and it’s typical to see them tapping away or listening to music through their ear buds — not just in the hallways during the five minutes between classes, but also in the classroom, at every opportunity the teacher gives them.

Most schools allow students to have cell phones for safety.  Apart from emergency situations, most schools don’t officially allow students to use cell phones during class time. However, when the teacher is busy helping out another student or writing on the board, out come the phones as students send instant messages to friends, listen to music, or watch videos on the Internet. Eventually, the teacher notices and warns them that their phones will be taken. The phones disappear with reluctant obedience — until the next opportunity arises to  pull them out again.

At a time when middle-class homes are filled with computers and mobile devices, schools are grappling with the question of how much technology to bring into the classrooms. But whatever a school’s approach to technology, cell phones seem to be nearly present everywhere. And  in schools that permitted students to have cell phones, 71 percent of students sent or received text messages on their cell phones in class. In the majority of schools — those that allow students to have phones in school but not use them in the classroom – the percentage was almost as high: 65%. Even in schools that ban cell phones entirely, the percentage was still a shocking 58%.(Approximately)

Many teachers have given in and allowed their students to listen to music through their earbuds while they’re doing individual class work (reading or writing or conducting research). “I concentrate better on my schoolwork when I’m listening to music,” is the rationalization from many students. Many teachers seem to accept this reasoning, little knowing about the data on multitasking and its harmful effects on concentration and the ability to think clearly.

Is dependency on technology bad?

By Aliya Azhar

Ok, I understand the fact that without fancy gadgets we cannot survive at least in this century. This is growing obsession among people now a days . They would much rather interact with their smartphones than with other human beings. While Smartphones have made life easier, according to study conducted,   the love for technology has become an addiction. We miss out so many gorgeous things around us just because we are too busy checking out our notifications and replying tweets.

Many people think ‘ oh so what if we are  dependent on this little thingy like smartphone or other technological devices, they make our work easy, and also they let us stay connected to the world’ . Alright then what is that little  thingy stuffed inside your head for ? Which is called “brain”. Now the scientist tell us that the technology is changing the microcellular structure of our brain, because we compute mails and texts minute by minute. Brain is that technical machine which has been hidden under dust for so long and we hardly make use of it. How many of us actually remember what they had for lunch yesterday ? how many of us actually remember the lecture which was taught in last class? The human brain is under the threat of modern technology.

Just imagine this, we have become so dependent on technology that we cannot think of spending ‘a’ day without our oh-so-smart Smartphones? Well going a day without cell phone can also be a challenge for some .

Wake up and pay attention to the world around you, why are we making a transition from human beings to mindless beings. Beauty of the world around us cannot be seen or felt through these devices we have to have our eyes open and look around us.

Is your smart phone really making you smart?

By Zeeshan Khalid

We live in an age where technology and technological advancements are at their peak and this phenomenon is rampant across the globe. Almost every person living on the face of this planet has been affected by this technology either in a positive or negative way and sometimes even both. Technology has no doubt made many matters of life much easier and achievable which without these technological advancements would not have been possible. Every person may have a different experience and exposure to these technological advancements and so in light of their ‘experience’ they form a perception and a judgment about its importance.

In one recent week, the medical student sent 40 e-mails and 399 text messages, snapped 25 photos, bought two movie tickets, downloaded four songs, watched a full-length film, checked the weather forecast 15 times, shopped at Target, surfed the Web for 129 minutes and spent 5½ hours socializing with friends on Facebook — all from his iPhone 4S. (http://edition.cnn.com/2012/10/05/tech/mobile/smartphoneaddicts/index.html?hpt=hp_bn5)

Now for some people, the above stated case may be something normal but for most it isn’t. there are many people who feel that there life has become way much more organized and efficient because of the way technology is being utilized for multiple purposes ranging from the  house hold chores to the things work related matters.

Whatever the case maybe, the picture has both the sides. There may be many negatives but the most evident and ‘epidemic’ problem is the communication catastrophe between human beings. Communication touches every sphere of our lives. Technological changes have indisputably led to faster communication but the point is that are we communicating more effectively? We are getting to the point of information over load, but are we communicating effectively? Is our social life improving because of this technology? When was the last time you had lunch or dinner together as a family on one table? When was the last time you had a long healthy talk with your family members? Is technology making us more humans or are we headed towards social destruction?

Summary: In defense of my Stupidphone

By Warda Khan

When we speak about the technological aspect from the cellular point of view, we find that the cell phone users have fallen into two distinct categories; those who have smartphones and those who don’t. As the numbers show that 55.5% of the cell phone users in USA have smartphones it can very well be observed that it comprises of more weightage. Yet the other 44.5% cannot be ignored as well. This 44.5% crowd either doesn’t own a smartphone or doesn’t even want to have one.

Mainly it has been observed that people who avoid purchasing smartphones, especially the iPhones from Apple are majorly of the view that they are better off without them. While most addictive smartphone lovers continue to pursue the upgrades and latest releases, there is an amount that also considers it foolish and stupid to go crazy for something like an iPhone. People have even responded saying that Apple is merely trying to invent a meaningful cell phone that actually is something amazing, and so far it has launched 5 models.

The sole purpose of a cell phone is to connect you to people through distances, however the smartphones are blamed to have been destroying your personal time. People are even of the view that they don’t want to receive mails regarding work or bank credit while they are enjoying a recreational time at the beach. Cellphones must remain within certain aspects and should not become such intruding elements in life. Yet we also observe extra-long queues outside stores for purchasing upcoming releases. Amazingly, one portion of the cell phone users thinks that it is stupid to purchase such technically advanced and expensive cell phones that you may easily break accidentally or loose it through any such incident, whereas the other portion seems to be crazily addictive to the smartphone tech and can’t resist replacing with the latest from time to time. In your opinion, what are the least features you would like to have in a cell phone?

Speaking up in Class, Silently using Social Media

By Rimsha Ahmad

“Social Media is about being open, being a connector, being supportive and being yourself”. (Michael Q. Todd, @mqtodd, 12Most).

Being a part of 21st century means; to run yourself, to cop up with the modern world and modern world is the world of technology. In Education sector social media has done the miracle of presenting the world’s  knowledge in the hands of the students. Being a literature student I know the value and how much helpful Is the technology for the students in quick addressing of the queries regarding the work as whenever I need to know any meaning, background of the literature work I just google it and participate in the class instead of staying quiet. By using blogs now parents while sitting at home can get the feedback and check the progression of the kids. Students mostly stay quiet in the class as for them it’s the best way to escape from teacher’s eye, many students don’t participate as they are not that much confident about what they think or feel about the topic. So if the teachers appreciate and allow students to use Internet source the students will try to get answer might not the right one but something related to that by using it. This thing make their habit of speaking, participating and it’s a survey that when students start giving answers, they work hard to give correct answers next time. Some teachers think that using Social media; Internet in the class will distract he students from the main topic but I think it’s incorrect as teacher can’t even make that student to focus on the study who is really don’t interested in the lecture even if there is no social media as the brain itself is the social media with lots of random channels going on all the time. But if that student is allowed to use the Internet in the class if he won’t get all but he’ll get something as a learning may be it could be just opening or closing of the device or the site the least learning. Now this student because of social media at least getting 1% of learning. By using social media the learning won’t stick to just one book for the course students can learn more and teachers can teach them with as much new ways/things and researches as they want. Class and teacher teaches for the future successful life of the students as being in technology world now in every field at some point you have to use the social media even for the tests of anything they set the test by using Internet resources; so if teachers will teach them the use of social media it will help them for the outer world life. So all in all, students of even smaller ages learn more by social media and teachers should allow them to use it and every class should’ve social media as the learning medium of class. Blogs, websites, twitter, google etc can be used as best learning and teaching purposes.

Social media: Beneficial for Discussion

By Sameen Gul

Why students don’t speak in class? It is observed that sometimes students are simply shy or bored or unprepared. But it is also been noticed that racism, genders, and classism often work to silence some voices, and no doubt, sometimes students are quiet because they have a bad or uncooperative teacher. The vast majority of the students understand speaking in class to be a testing situation in which they are expected to provide a right answer.

The more pressure a professor creates through grading class participation, the more complicated it becomes for students to speak. By observing an instructor how he or she interacts with the class, the kinds of questions he/she asks, and how he/she responds to their voices. They determine whether they are expected to perform on an oral quiz. The students in the study also consider their self images, their knowledge, and their comfort levels with criticism and argument in the classroom setting when deciding whether to speak or to be silent. They understand that their classmates’ opinions of them will be affected, if not formed, by the opinions they offer in class.

Students who feel shy or uncomfortable to step forward in class discussions are shown as much potentiated on some social media discussion like Facebook, twitter or Google plus. It may be the reason that there they feel free to comment or speak as they are not being noticed by the class of 30, 40 students, and they know that even if they give the wrong point they will not have to face the criticism on face and later it encourages them and build confidence and undoubtedly enhances their knowledge.

Social networking has increased the rate and quality of collaboration for students. They are better able to communicate meeting times or share information quickly, which can increase productivity and help them learn how to work well in groups.