2005 August archive at feeding change

It looks like video game makers are really liking this games in schools idea. NESTA Future Labs reports that they are teaming up with EA Games to study how video games can be used in UK classrooms to help students learn:

The research project, named Teaching with Games, will begin in September 2005. It aims to explore the practical issues surrounding the use of interactive computer games in schools and the changes needed to better support learning in schools across Europe.

The study will look at what children can learn from computer games, how best to introduce games into the classroom and what changes might be required to make them relevant to the educational environment. Computer games are beginning to be introduced to schools but do they really work as a tool for education? The practicalities of using games in the classroom will be explored through trials in selected secondary schools in the UK.

Now, I love video games and I love education. Ive even written about how video games can help kids gain digital literacy skills. But Im always worried when private companies get in on public education.

While the EA folks all gush about games offering kids intellectual challenge and stimulation and helping ensure that gaming in education supports both the teaching and learning goals of today and tomorrow , that inner voice tells me that EA are wetting themselves at the chance of scoring that coveted gatekeeper approval and getting their brand into that last bastion of commercial-free public space: schools.

Im all for trying out video games in schools. Lets see what kids will learn. Lets also see how long it takes for EA to turn it into a branding campaign on a young captive audience. Im starting my egg timer now.

tagged: [video_games] [schools] [education]

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posts that might have something to do with what I just said:

Starting today, teens in Colorado with new driving licences are banned from using their cell phones while driving [via textually.org.] While I think this is a great first step at making the roads a safer place (I’m for a ban on all cell phone use while driving, everywhere), it’s only a half-step and it’s clear who is behind the fight against bans on in-car cell phone use:

“Most states are looking at limited bans because it is unclear – and a bone of contention with the telecommunications industry – whether cell phone use while driving can be tied to more accidents.”
– Santa Cruz Sentinel

So, it’s the phone companies, who profit from the use of cell phones, who don’t want cell phones banned in cars. Very surprising. Apparently, in-car use of cell phones isn’t dangerous. How do we know? The phone company told us so, that’s how:

“The cell phone industry says studies show cell phone use was a factor in less than 1 percent of all accidents in states that require reporting – California, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.”

Now that all this “cell phones are distracting” nonsense is settled (thank you telecommunications industry!) we can ask why teens are the ones being targeted. Let’s have Matt Sundeen, a policy researcher with the legislatures group, tackle that one:

“States are willing to take “baby steps” with younger drivers because it’s easier to get the legislation passed, Sundeen said. He said many lawmakers oppose stronger laws because they don’t want to anger their constituents.”

Translation: teenagers don’t vote, so screw them.

Well, that may be true today. But if these guys get their way (and they should) all this will change. Then poor mommy and daddy will have to stop their cell phone yakking while in the Suburban too. After that, perhaps we can all ride our bikes on the road in peace.

tagged: [cell_phones] [cars] [youth_culture]