Our second Parent Technology Coffee Morning was even better attended than the first one with 56 parents arriving to discuss Games Technology. We were also joined by Frankie Tam from the Hong Kong Digital Games Based Learning Association.
The presentation highlighted why games are an important aspect of child development and how, as one of the most dominant forms of media in young people's lives, parents need to be able to understand the importance and intricacies of many of the games our students use.
We also brainstormed some of the concerns that parents have about gaming. The word addictive was used and we discussed what that really meant. Did it really mean addicted in the clinical sense or did it mean "liked a lot" or "would much rather be doing"! I inferred that parents might be less concerned if they thought their children were "addicted to reading" but to my surprise parents showed that they would be concerned by that too.
Research into the effects of games was touched upon as well as the way the media covers the issue.
Positive aspects of gaming were looked at and we watched a video of some of our students explaining the intricacies of Club Penguin.
We also looked at the way we use games to stimulate learning here at Kellett.
Resources from the session
Key Text;
Don't Bother Me Mom--I'm Learning! by Marc Prensky (Feb 14, 2006) - available in HK stores but you may have to order it
Other texts;
What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. Second Edition: Revised and Updated Edition by James Paul Gee (Dec 26, 2007)
Fun Inc.: Why Gaming Will Dominate the Twenty-First Century by Tom Chatfield (Nov 15, 2010)
Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal (Jan 20, 2011)
These books will help to gain a better understanding of aspects of game playing.
Areas for development at home
Design
Scratch; http://scratch.mit.edu
Atmosphir; http://www.atmosphir.com/
Play
Wolfquest; http://www.wolfquest.org/
Little Big Planet; (PS3 PSP) http://www.littlebigplanet.com/
Darfur is Dying; http://www.darfurisdying.com/
Spore; http://www.ea.com.hk/spore
Professor Layton; http://professorlaytonds.com/
As in our first session the 75 minutes seemed to fly by and the audience was very positive and engaged with the discussion, offering their thoughts and feedback regularly.
Many thank to all those that attended.
Our next session is set for Friday 18th March and will look at the topic of e-safety.
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