scenario: PTA meeting & TED talk videos help

The TED video I would use for a PTA conference on the use of games as a medium for classroom learning:

I would choose to present Jane McGonigal’s video to introduce the topic at the PTA meeting because in her video she focuses the entire conversation on the value of games and their positive relationship to real world and to education.  With the parallel drawn between the amount of time gaming and the plausibility for positive outcomes during a PTA meeting you can draw upon this to show the positive value of students increasing their study time from minimal to double of what they are now getting.  Furthermore, it can be used to show how it can be used as a supplement to the classroom learning for a student who is apsent or missing from a class.

  

Summary of Jane McGonigal:  Explains in a rational way how to solve problems through the use of gaming.  The only drawback is the size and scope used is too big to use in an individual school PTA meeting.

Summary of Will Wright: Shows the value of Spore (game) as a mode to developing and learning how the process of evolution works and how long term dynamics affect use.  Showing how students can learn from a game to see the long term affects of our actions.  It also demonstrates a way to instruct long term thinking through a game and through short real life experiences that can relate to the students schema.

Summary of Tom Chatfield:  Shows the positive information that can be found from the users of games.  Showing how the principles developed from gamers can benefit the real world.

The main points I would use for why games can be a valuable learning tool in PTA meeting would be:

·         Motivation: students who are motivated enjoy learning

·         Authenticity: real life examples give students greater understanding and connections to what is being taught.

·         Social skills: skills of being able to act in a social environment

·         Cultural skills: able function in a global community

·         Negotiation skills: skills to negotiate with others

·         Problem solving skills: skills to work through problems and create critical thinking

·         Paper and material cost saver: the cost of new books and material decreased through reprogrammable game systems

Increased learning and interaction time: more time spent learning gives more learning and greater student benefits