Experiment Results

Do you remember the experiment I was doing with my 3 year old daughter? I was teaching her to read the names of colors via computer game and the names of numbers via chalk and chalkboard.

Last night I did my post test. I compared the results of the color words vs. the number words. The results indicated ....drum roll please...no significant difference! On the color test (which was the computer one), she got 8\10 and on the number test (chalk board) she got 7\10. What does this mean? Well, I think it means that she learned equally well using both methods. Prior to my experiment she didn't know any of the words. I used both methods of teaching for equal time intervals, a total of 40 mins each. As I stated in a previous post I think the chalk board method had some advantages, and that was that I could provide feedback such as prompting her to sound the words out. There are computer games that are capable of that as well, but the one I picked was very basic, match the words to the colors they spell.

Although the results sound unsatisfying on the contrary indeed. The result of this experiment proved to me that my daughter did in fact learn something from the computer game she was playing. She didn’t just learn it either, she learned is as well as she learned a very similar thing from me. Now I’m not going to interpret this as she doesn’t need me to teach her things, rather I’m going to interpret this as playing computer games can in fact educate. She enjoys playing them, and now I know they are not a waste of time. Of course I will still limit the amount of time she spends on the computer...yadda yadda yadda.

Unfortunately there does not seem to be a large amount of actual research done in this area. I have encounted only limited articles discussing their success. Of course all the websites promoting their games make an educational claim, but we can't necessarily take that at much more than face value. What seems to be lacking is proven results done in experimental form. Much like the experiment I did with my daughter, but on a much larger scale. Maybe this should be the basis for my thesis or project.

Self Esteem Games

Self Esteem games are computer games that are created to help improve ones self esteem. There is a set of 3 games created by Mind Habits, that claim they can “boost self confidence and reduce stress” by playing their games for 5 minutes a day. Does it work? A team from McGill University in Quebec, Canada tested these games and have labeled them a success! The games train your brain to focus on positive feedback, rather than negative feedback. There is a free 60 minute version available here, try it for yourself and see.

The series consists of 3 separate games.

1. Grow you Chi - you click on your name and smiling faces.
2. Eye Spy the Matrix - you are given a block of 16 faces, and you have to find the one that is smiling.
3. Wham! Self Esteem Conditioning - creates links between yourself and social acceptance.

I wouldn't say these games are particularly fun. They call them games, yes, but to me they are more like drill practice math worksheets. They get the job done, but I don't know many people that would do them strictly for the fun of it.

On the plus side though, if you are someone who is depressed or has a negative self image, this could possibly be the easiest cure I've ever heard of. Okay, I probably shouldn't use the word 'cure', but really, if these games do improve your self esteem, who wouldn't try it. There's no drugs, no chemicals, no therapy or counseling, what do you have to loose, 5 minutes a day of playing a monotonous computer game. Heck I spend more time chewing my finger nails a day. I should point out the website does not claim that it will replace the need for medication or counseling, it simply states that it can “boost self confidence and reduce stress”.

I went to a computer gaming conference 2 years ago and saw a presentation on serious games. I forgot all about that until something sparked my interest in 'self esteem games', while I was doing my research for my blog these games looked familiar and I realized I saw them before under a different name. So you may also see these game referred to as 'serious games'.

One last thing to add on this note is that there are a LOT of articles about these very 3 games on the internet. When I Google 'self esteem games' or anything of that nature this seems to be the majority of the results that I get. So, that could mean 2 things. Either there are very few other so called self esteem games out there, or, these games are really just that good that everybody is raving about them.

Girl Power

Computer games or video games in general have always been more of a boy thing. More and more however girls are getting interested as well. Are computer games now being developed for a wider audience, including more female interests?

I am a girl, and speaking from experience, I have never really been that into computer games or any type of video games. I do remember playing Mario Brothers on the Super Nintendo with my brother way back when Super Nintendo was cool. I would have never asked for the system myself, but since we had it (because of my brother) I played it, and enjoyed it. If there would have been more girlie games then would’ve I played more? Maybe, there’s a real life computer game about shopping, called the internet, and I like to play that game :)

This article, Why are boy so attracted to video games, states that computer games are more of a ‘boy thing’ because of content, marketing, learning styles and social styles. Interesting point on the social styles; the article compares a mother wanting a heart to heart with their daughter, may sit down on the daughter’s bed and start talking. A father however, wanting to have a meaningful conversation with a son might do so while shooting hoops. Boys often get close while interacting while playing games.

There are entire websites of games dedicated specifically to the female audience. They are considered ‘girl games’ because they contain female characters like Barbie or Miley Cyrus, or they are centered around more girlie activities like shopping and babysitting. This one site, made for girls, Go girls only, has a variety of games and activities. Most of the games were actually kind of boring, they are based on recycling and sun safety, but it did have one neat activity. The activity is called Uniquely Me, you create a collage of things that define you. Your favourite color, what you’re good at, things you’re thankful for. I found it very encouraging. Here's my collage.

Another site, called Pimp My Computer , (I’m not a big fan of the name) is dedicated to games in which you play dress up. Now, the clothes are beginning to get a little scantily clad here but maybe this is our nemesis, just as is violence in boy’s games.

Are computer games making our kids fat?

No, absolutely not! Granted playing a computer game doesn’t require much in the way of physical activity, but either does coloring and it never got a bad wrap because of it. It's as if society is trying to come up with a reason why computer games are bad.

I don’t know about you, but playing an engaging computer game generally requires the use of your hands which actually makes it rather hard to eat, especially if you’re really into the game. Computer games can actually cause a lot of excitement and get your heart pumping and your anxiety levels up. That’s probably good for the body as long as it’s in a stress free environment, which playing a computer game usually is.

Read this article it says that “the single most common reason for children to become obese is a poor diet”. Computer games can't be blamed for that.

Personally, I think it’s our fast paced convenient lifestyles that are to blame. The fast food restaurants are plentiful and so are the quick easy meal solutions in the grocery store. As parents, we need to teach our children, good, healthy eating habits from the beginning. It’s not enough that you feed them good foods, they learn by watching what you eat too.

If society can blame computer games for making our generation of kid’s fat, then I am going to blame sports. The sports our children play. Listen to this, my 3 year old plays soccer. They meet once a week for 45 minutes in total. They practice for the first 20 minutes, then break for a snack, and then play against an opposing team. They are only there for 45 minutes and they have to break for a snack! If your kid can’t go 45 minutes without eating, we have a problem. So it’s not computer games contributing to the overweight epidemic, its organized sports!

You know what else a very sedentary activity that may be making us fat...studying. As our society expands its waist line, it’s also expanding its education, right? Is the trade-off to becoming smarter, being fatter....hmmm, food for thought.

The Sims

I stand corrected. The graphics in the Sims series of computer games are impeccable! The characters look so real, they move just like we move. I would say this game is comparable to the same violent computer games I ranted about last post. Now, the big question is, do they hold any educational value? Do I want my kids or students playing this game? For starters, it’s not violent, so it already gets a go ahead from me compared to its aggressive components. There are a variety of games that are the Sims. There’s The Sims, The Sims 2 and The Sims 3, and the Sims 4 is in the works. Within each of the versions, there are different collections available. The main idea is that you create virtual people and place them in homes (that you can build if you want). You give these people desires and help them reach personal goals. At one point The Sims was the best selling video game of all times. How does it educate? Well, it’s not a traditional educational computer game that presents you with information and then you regurgitate it after wards. Instead, it incorporates real life situations and has you, the player deal with them. It’s more of a tangential type of learning.

The reviews that I’ve encountered say that the game is not for a young audience, but rather for those around 16 years and up (even those the ESRB says it’s appropriate for teens). Apparently you can quite easily incorporate mature behaviour like sex and swearing.

The Sims 2 has a Best of Business Collection in which you build your own business from the bottom up. A wonderful case study for inspiring entrepreneurs.

The Sims 3 Ambitions lets you choose from a variety of career opportunities and you control their actions while they are on the job.

By my investigation it appears that the Sims teaches valuable life skills, more so, then school skills. This should not be under minded though. These skills are essential and if our youth can learn this stuff while they are having a great time playing the computer game, mission accomplished.

Check out the trailer to The Sims 2: Apartment life. Your Sim is looking for an apartment but must consider a variety of compromises, just like in real life. You may love the apartment, but not the neighbourhood. Maybe you can only afford it if you have a roommate, can you live with somebody else?

Personally I enjoy architecture and interior design, so I want to check out The Sims 3: High-End Loft.

Violent? Yes, but the graphics are so awesome!

When our kids are young, like in the pre-school and kindergarten age group, they love the educational computer games we encourage them to play, but what happens when they get a little older, say 9 or 10? Do the educational games become “lame”? By now, the youngsters have probably discovered a new realm of computer games. One of violence and aggression, but also one of fantastic graphics and a reality like no other. Have you seen some of these games? Checkout this clip of Crysis 2 . Amazing, isn't it.
Too bad it’s so violent. Unfortunately, that seems to come with the territory of “cool” video games. As much as we probably want to shield our children from it, chances are those 9 and 10 year old boys have discovered these and it’s now the hot topic of conversation. As parents what can we do? I guess try to limit the games they play, lucky for us most video games come with a rating, much like movies do. It’s called the ESRB Entertainment Software Ratings Board.

I thought these rating sounded like a great idea, until I read on. Apparently these rating are mostly voluntary and I’ve read some negative feedback on them. I guess if nothing else, it’s a starting point. As parents and educators, it’s still up to us to review and decide what our kids should and should not be playing.

What we need to do, is elliminate the divide between educational games, and the 'cool' games with the awesome graphics. Why can't the educational games be cool? Maybe there are amazing educational games like this out there. I just haven't stumbled upon them yet, but I'll keep looking.

PS. I encountered some gaming sites that required me to enter my birthday, and based on my age would determine if I could get into the site or not. Yeah, no kid will be able to figure that one out . I guess its teaching them math right...

I am NOT smarter than a 5th grader.

Are you? Challenge yourself and find out. Download this temporary version of the game. “Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader” is a TV game show meant to entertain but does hold some educational value as well. Its a quiz type game show asking questions that you'd learn about in early elementary school. I know it sounds easy, but try it - are you smarter than a 5th grader? Few people are. I used to watch the show, and its amazing how hard some of the questions are. Sometimes I know I learned the information at some point, but have obviously just forgotten it over the years. Other times I think I never did learn it - although maybe I did and it didn't register in long term memory so it is entirely forgotten.

I think this is a great example of how our television can work as a medium to provide both entertainment and education, just like computer games. Now, when TV first came out there were all these speculations that TVs would take over the education world. We would not longer need teachers, because TVs can teach our children. There were educational shows broadcast and I am sure you’ll all agree that TV can be an educational medium to an extent. I think the computer era is much the same as the introduction of the television. Computers do have great educational value (even more so than TV since a computer is interactive), but lets not jump to conclusions in thinking its going to replace the need of teachers in a structured educational environment, because I don’t think they ever will. (Or at least not in a future near enough that I’ll still be teaching in it).