Most people think video games are "mindless" and give children an excuse to be lazy. What many people overlook are the positive lessons children can learn through these games. I want to focus on Mark Prensky's article, "What Kids Learn That’s POSITIVE From Playing Video Games" because I think he offers an in-depth, easy to understand look at video games. He talks about five levels of learning in a video game:
Level One-How:
-Gamers learn how the game works and also get the opportunity to learn how to multi-task
-Kids learn real-world lessons like how to protect yourself or construct something and also
how to be in control of a situation
-Kids can improve their cognitive complexes like mental-spacial processing and non-verbal
IQ
Level Two: What
-Kids learn how to make decisions and learn what is right and wrong
-Learn to compare and make choices based on the pros and cons
Level Three: Why
-Kids have to create a gameplan and strategize
- Gamers must overcome obstacles and learn to deal with consequences
- Gamers must also set short term and long term goals and decide how to best accomplish
them
Level Four: Where
-Kids learn about their culture and environment and how to survive and thrive in it
-These video games reflect society. The author uses an interesting example of how parents
freak out about violent video games but that our society isn't exactly law-abiding. Also,
parents have to be accountable for what they are allowing their children to partake in.
Level Five: When/Whether
-Kids have to make value and morally-based decisions
- Children also have to learn to behave whether they win or lose and the implications of both
Video Games are not necessarily directly related to journalism but there are a few things that are relevant. Most cameras these days are robotic so having experience with video games would help me land a job because I would already have an understanding of spacial relations and the use of a controller to maneuver. Also, since parents tend to freak out about violent content, I am sure I will have to interview more than one irate parent throughout my career. I will need to know the facts and be familiar with the policies of the gaming industry to ensure I am providing my audiences with a balanced look at both sides of the issue.
I chose this political cartoon because it parodies the silliness surrounding the video gaming industry. Parents and educator alike have been voicing their concerns for years without realizing the education benefits previously mentioned. I think everyone needs to be educated on the issues and decide what is best for their family without causing a scene on national TV.
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