Saturday, March 14, 2009
Learning & Identity Chapter 3 of Gee
On some level I agree with Gee on many points, but I think that this entire identity play theory can be given far more credit then it should. Some children want to play video games for the simple reason of not wanting to do anything else. Children have to be able to exist within many learning environments - we cannot always customize everything to meet every need. Yes, I want my daughters and the children I teach to be successful now and in the future, but success also means being flexible, cooperative, and well-rounded. I think Gee over analyzes the entire topic in his learning principles. Yes, if I can relay my objective to my class more clearly in a video game, that's fine - but it is not realistic to think that the learning style of each child can be addressed all the time. When I am on Club Penguin, I see it as simple fun. Of course, a child of 6 or 7 is challenged by it on some level, but I don't think video games deserve the erudite credit Gee places upon them.
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OK, but how so? I'm intrigued -- how do you think Gee extends the identity play too far? Is Club Penguin a more limited type of game, where a space like Second Life or a more complex game like World of Warcraft, Sims, or another avatar-based game would involve identity to another degree? I think you have a valid critique here, but I would like to see you deepen it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Club Penguin is a more limited type of game probably because it is intended for a younger "audience." On a personal level, I don't feel the need to find an identity via an avatar based game. I can understand and respect it for extacly what it is, a game. I feel the urgent need in our society to always be electronically conncected is almost sad. Very few people are able to find contentment unless they are not constantly doing something. How self indulgent are our children/students? How can we expect them to function sucessfully in society if they are only able to do what adddress their preferences. Sometimes we learn best when we stretch outside of our comfort zone, and for some students that may be simply reading a book. I think Gee is a genius in his writing style, observations, and his ability to create a space within which to define this whole new genre. I reiterate what I may have said in a previous blog, we must teach our students to be well-rounded, flexible, and open to new ideas. As educators we teach academic skills and life skills.
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