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Your Homework is Play Video Games

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the i'd-still-probably-get-a-d+ dept.

GuitarNeophyte writes "Four schools in the UK will be testing a new program idea to use video games for educational use. An IT researcher, along with Electronic Arts (the software game giant) are funding the proposition. 'We're looking at developing some of the softer skills that are needed for the 21st century, such as problem-solving, resilience, persistence and collaboration.' "

2 of 331 comments (clear)

  1. Drivers Ed by rlp · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A lot of American schools have eliminated drivers ed. It would be useful for a driving simulator (not racing) that is designed to help new drivers with both normal driving (merging, heavy traffic, navigation) and emergency situations (accident avoidance, skids, bad weather, etc).

    --
    [Insert pithy quote here]
  2. Re:I beleive this to be the future of education by Analogy+Man · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Right on!

    I am 37 and have heard our generation refered to by some as the last "free range" generation. Some kids got out of line and ended up in trouble, but in balance kids learned where reasonable limits were and were held responsible for their behavior. I later observed in college as a Resident Assistant that the kids to watch out for were the ones who's parents tightly controlled them. The ones that had a longer leash growing up knew how to negotiate the wild wild world without going bonkers. I think the key was that other adults (besides your parents):

    • where around (more stay at home moms)
    • knew who the kids around the neighborhood were
    • cared what they were doing
    • were outside
      • people used to open windows and go outside
      • people would mow their own lawns
      • more people had gardens
      • people walked to places (yesterday a neighbor drove to our house from 5 doors down the street!)
    • could step in and discipline someone else's kid (within reason) without fear of
      • kid shooting them
      • parent shooting them
      • parent filing lawsuit
      • being arrested for assault for hauling a kid home by the scruff of the neck

    • It will never be the same, but I hope to provide for my 4 kids some of the life experience I had that I feel is critical.

    --
    When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.