Video Games

For the point/counter-point presentation this fall, I'm going to be working on the topic of integrating video games into the classroom. I have to admit... this topic has me reminiscing about the past.

My first console? The original Nintendo system. I had three games: Mario Brothers, Duck Hunt, and a motorbike racing one (the title of which I cannot remember). They were SO COOL. The graphics may be considered low quality now (I prefer to think of them as vintage), but they were high-tech for the day. At some point after that, the Super Nintendo came out and so did the Sega Genesis. I never had either of those, but I still liked my old Nintendo. I enjoyed playing Sonic the Hedgehog on my friend's Sega though. The choice in games was limited, and it's amazing to think how much games have evolved since then. Sega never really regained their momentum, I think, after the Genesis. Remember the short lived Dreamcast?

Computers have really changed the face of gaming too. I still get all nostalgic for Myst. In terms of education... I learned how to type using a computer game. Mavis Beacon! And I played Oregon Trail! And Math Blaster... can't forget about that either! Once again there are many more options for computer games and educational interaction (and fun too). It doesn't take a great jump to imagine that there are many ways video games could also potentially be incorporated into the classroom. It will be interesting to explore the pros and cons of this issue.