I'm neither a big gamer nor against games. I'm not good at games that need me to press buttons quickly, Super Mario, for example. But I had good experience with RPG games where I completed tasks, made money, and so on. I like to see the number in my virtual account rising. I also like to see there are more and more objects and skills in my inventory that I can use.
On Wednesday I played WoW with some of us. It's my first time playing a multiplayer RPG game. I had to admit it's a lot of fun, and it's ADDICTIVE. The trick is that often when you completed a task, they will give you a new task. And although you have been sitting in front of your computer for hours and you know you have work to do, you may say to yourself: "OK, just one more task. It will take me no more than a few minutes. " And so you are getting addicted to it.
So I'm thinking what makes video games so addictive, at least to some people. If we can incorporate some of the principles of good game design into classroom tasks, I think we will make our teaching a lot more engaging. What do you think?
Well if you put it that way, sure games sound good. These are good concepts to keep in mind for in-class acitivities, too, such as role-playing, although people may not be as free to express themselves in person. In the online games, people can "act" as though they are in a movie playing the selves they fantasize about.
ReplyDeleteYes!!! You've hit on the topic of the book project I'm starting with Julie Sykes. It's great you're seeing the parallels and the possibilities, it's something that not everyone sees!
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