I really loved this reading and found it very applicable to some of the challenges I am facing in terms of my own video game. One of the most profound things about this article is the idea a game is a “mini-world” and within that world you have an incredible amount of interdisciplinary work that can be achieved. I have played video games for as long as I can remember but stopped making time for them in my mid-twenties. Now that I am trying to make my own game, I can see how much it actually involves. This article is correct in saying that you need writing, art, programming and critical thinking skills to make a video game. I can’t think of another activity where these are so intertwined. One of the major benefits of teaching this technology to kids is that with these skills, they can go on to understand how complicated systems work.
The article does bring up what I’m sure all my classmates and I wanted to know. Does this approach actually work? Unfortunately, the research cannot seem to move fast enough for us to know yet. However, everyone knows that what is currently in place is not working and I agree with the secretary of education: we need drastic plans and “high-risk/high gain” endeavors.
I also like the way that Salen describes how school is actually one big “designed experience” or the biggest game a child will ever play. This is acknowledging that school is something kids must do while also realizing the possible potential it as a place where children can really bring in outside learning experiences to make it worthwhile for themselves.
In terms of games holding potential for student learning, the results that come from tests outside of just “games as a learning tool” are a great push towards using them. For example, even though spending on technology has increased steadily, performance has not. Yet outside the classroom, apparently, children are wildly adept at creation and using different technological resources. It only makes sense to bring their natural skills into the classroom. Maybe Salen’s school has not shown any difference in scores yet, but apparently there are concepts that are working such as Smalllab.
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