Video Games: A New Form of Reading? October 17, 2008
Posted by leewin in Uncategorized.Tags: education, literacy, opinion, Reading, video games
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The New York Times had an interesting article on authors using video games to get youth to start reading. The series of articles goes on to discuss how some authors use video games to get them to read their stories. Could this be the future of reading?
The articles even talk about how some libraries are having video game parties to draw students into the library to take out books.
The links to the articles you can find here:
Using Video Games as Bait to Hook Readers
Do you think video games are good way to get kids to read?
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hhmmm. . I have never thought that people that enjoy video games would be a way to get kids like us to read more. I read all the time, but I am also a big videogamer too. just never thought of it that way.
Do you think it would entice kids to read more books if there was some kind of gaming component to it? Btw don’t forget to cast your vote!
I think there needs to be a distinction between video games and online gaming as they are quite distinct in terms of what’s involved and the skills that can be developed. Yet the article doesn’t really understand the distinction. Online gaming like World of Warcraft in a sense is encouraging more reading but of text on the screen while most video games don’t have that level of interaction. I don’t think gaming encourages kids to read more books and if anything decreases their interest to read. And yet online games provide other skills that are also important and helpful in life.
Movies on the other hand do encourage kids to want to read. My sons often want to read books if they have enjoyed the movie. The key for libraries is they will need to evolve to meet the changing nature of their clients and that is exactly what we are seeing. Some of the most amazing people I know using Web 2.0 tools are librarians.
Hi there, my personal view on this one is that if video games were made in a way of being educational enough then yes it would be a great way to teach, motivate and capture kids attention, and what better way…But it’s obviously finding something that actually does this. Thanks for visiting my site, I have finally gotten around to visiting yours, it’s been a busy week, but good luck with your work, you have a nice blog,
Aniya
Thanks Sue and Aniya for your views on this topic. I came across this article originally through digg. I thought it was interesting and would share it with all of you. Online gaming is quite different than regular video gaming that is for sure. I am certainly interested in the hook these authors are using and how effective it actually is. According to some of those people that commented in the article had read the books and played the games but I certainly don’t believe that video gaming will create a greater interest in reading.
Speaking from experience, some the kids I have taught are “click” users. As soon as there is text on the screen they click through it as fast as they can. This is even if the narrative gives them clue on how to solve the problem, find the treasure in the game etc.
Do any of you know of video games that would come close to even creating interest in reading books?
Okay I’ve gone back to visit the NY article again and think the writer has missed aspects of it. When you say “Do any of you know of video games that would come close to even creating interest in reading books?” we really need to pull apart what the article is talking about when it uses the term video games. For example video games in schools probably isn’t correct usage of the term.
Virtual Worlds like Second Life and Quest Atlantis provide opportunities for enhancing learning and definitely could be used to increase reading. My friend Dean Groom who is really into Second Life has been using it with students who struggle with English really well. You can read more about how he uses it here. His students had to build, design and film a scene from Shakespeare in Second Life. To come up with the ideas for the set, avatars and story line they would have spent quite a bit of time reading the book getting a feel of the story and what it was about. Plus they would have also do quite a bit of research to gain ideas on how to create the feel of their set. I’m sure this would have taken students that struggle with reading books like Shakespeare and given them a better understanding of it.
MMORP like World of Warcraft offer different opportunities for learning within schools plus they provide mechanisms for increasing the confidence of students that struggle to fit into the norm. At Dean’s school they grabbed all the old computers, gave them to the students and let them fix them in their lunch times. Then the students were given access to a room where they could run their own online game area and work together to show/help each other. The students had to organise and coordinate everything; be responsible. Students are amazing with WOW and gain so many skills (not to mention very quick typing speeds). Take a group of reluctant writers who are into WOW and get them to set up their own site explaining how to use WOW — you will probably find they are no longer reluctant.
Libraries on the other hand as I mentioned before will have to look at strategies of evolving to meet the needs of their clients — this is a good option.
So going back to your original question I would say Second Life definitely especially if it made you want to learn more about the topic. The Pokemon video games — my kids bought the books that help you with the game so that they could cheat better.
PS Sorry for long answer
like how you have changed your name.
Its interesting that you mentioned Second Life as a tool for creating an interactive learning environment. I was just beginning to read about that particular program. The WOW club the students set up was allowed by your school district? Was it writtetn up as a project for these students? This is one of those things that can prevent us from using tools like this.
My students also buy the Pokemon and Game codes books to help them cheat better. Amazing what they find an interest isn’t it?
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I found that while the comments on the article in the NY times were for the most part negative, there were few individuals who saw the potential of the media. I guess what I am saying is that media is becoming more convergent all the time (i.e. comic books become movies become games), is it so strange to think that new stories will be created with this aspect in mind?
Anyways thanks for the quick response and if you have any students or colleagues who would like to weigh in on the subject, I’d love to hear from them.
Thanks for the comment on the name change!
Lee
I think they sould be both because a world with out video games all the kids would copy stuff from the t.v and kids have a chance to play somthing if they’re bord.
I think you misunderstand Michael. Do you think video games can get kids to read more books?
i think its a great way to get kid who love video games its a great idea
Samatha if video games were linked to books would you read the books more?
The game would have to be good – it would have to rival some of the amazing games today to entice a reader. This sure is a lot of work / extra money for an author! A great gimmick to get reluctant readers to read.
Should we even be using games as a means to entice new readers into reading books? Shouldn’t reading be its own reward or are books becoming a dying medium.