When I
started my adventure with computers I had a strong belief that games only stole
our time. But a few years later I noticed that games can learn me type on
a computer keyboard or give me fast psychical “reset” from everyday problems.
I found on
TED two interesting (at least for me) presentations:
I would like to know your opinions on the topic: Are computer games good or not (Would the world be better without computer games ;-). Below I have placed a few issues to discuss:
- After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
- We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
- Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
- Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
- Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educated” assassins. Do you think that it can be true?
ReplyDeleteIt depends. The first example that came to my mind are the children of my aunt, who is a psychologist. Because she has three kids with ADHD, the best medicine to calm down the storm are three magic pills called "portable playstation". Always when the kids are getting out of control, my aunt gives device to each of them and they freeze.
What was my surprise when I discovered that the 7 year old is playing GTA (guns, car races and other bad stuff). Aunt explained to me that it all depends on the approach - in this game he just drives the car and does not kill anyone (I know - boring;]). So my answer: depends on how we play :).
We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screen. On the other hand I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace in future “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts?
Motion capture tools like kinect can really help, but looking at games like minecraft and world of wordcraft I am very glad that I grew up during the throwing knife, football games and stripped knee era. I have a lot of cool memories, and for example from Diablo 2 I remember only "offline" talk about items on the playground with friends.
According to Jane McGonical: do you think that we can increase our life by playing games?
Games are getting easier - in fact it may be true ;].
Do you prefer giving computer games or books (i.e. before Christmas) and why?
Before and during the Christmas - only Android games (computer turned off).
Whether games can play a more educational than entertainment function in our life?
I prefer arcade flash games - short, enjoyable and relaxing like flying hedgehog (I recomend every part ;])!
Thank you for information about your aunt – after Jane’s opinion it is a next example of games as “medical support”. Maybe it is a really new positive direction for game developers.
Delete1. After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games "educated" assassins. Do you think that it can be true?
ReplyDeleteIn a way, it is true. I mean, even the military uses first person shooter type games to train real combat soldiers. So there's no denying that. But that's nothing compared to practicing on a shooting range with real guns - and that IS LEGAL. The anti-gun control groups of America are quick to blame video games while at the same time defending their right to shoot targets with their own guns at shooting ranges (that's hypocrisy).
2. We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screen. On the other hand I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace in future “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts?
Yes, although we might see mobile technology rising the popularity of outdoor activities with things like augmented reality. Ultimately I think it's possible that we will see computer games coming out of living rooms and into real life.
3. According to Jane McGonical: do you think that we can increase our life by playing games?
It's interesting to hear that games can help with illnesses. Games can mimic real life and positive life experiences can be translated to games.
4. Do you prefer giving computer games or books (i.e. before Christmas) and why?
I think books would be a better idea because it's always nice to read a book and broaden your horizons. With computer games it's hit or miss, different people like different games and they usually have strong preferences. Let them buy computer games on their own.
5. Whether games can play a more educational than entertainment function in our life?
That depends on the game. You can learn a lot from games in ways you wouldn't expect, as you saw on the TED videos, without explicitly focusing on education.
I also heard about good results of using games in soldiers’ training. Do you think that our children will use games during driving course (similar to pilot’s training)?
DeleteLooks like they are already trying new things on the driver's license exam:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Dw-gy8ckc
I thought more about using driving simulation program before starting practical part of driving exam. Programs which evaluate theoretical knowledge are known for years.
DeleteAfter almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
ReplyDeleteNot exactly, actually I cannot imagine that just playing games made somebody kill... I would rather expect that people are trying to avoid responsibility for various things like improper raising of individuals. For example often parents don't spent enough time with children which may result that they cannot see obvious problems that they have and in result cannot stop them from doing bad things.
We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
Short answer: no, long answer: definitely no ! :) Maybe my opinion is spoiled because I am a big fun of different kind of sports but I cannot imagine that kinect or anything else could replace footbal pitch... It's not even about sport itself, I think that major reason here is social life (not to be mistaken with facebook...)
Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
In the same way as nivea creama and lemonade can cure cancer... sorry for skepticism :)
Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
I think we are missing one important thing here... it's not about what we prefer giving but rather about what others prefers to receive.
Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
Sure why not, I think my previous statement about pen wold be appropriate here :)
When I look at modern professional stationary treadmills or modern machines for training rowing, cycling with big LCD’s and computer programs for regulating training load if think that they present’s ideas similar to Kinect.
DeleteMaybe problem is connected with place – home vs gym – people choose gym from social reasons and any Kinect at home won’t replace physical activities from social reasons.
Don’t apologize for your skepticism. Probably you are not sole person with such – also valuable – opinion ;-).
1. I do not think that is the case. You cannot put the blame on the games/game developers for creating a game in which you can shoot others. This is only one of the ways to spend time and as long as such games are not accessible to the young I do not see how anyone could say that killing others could be justified by them playing videogames. I've watched an interesting movie in which the story of Marylin Manson was shown (hard rock singer). He was accused of encouraging others to kill through his songs and some demanded that his music be banned (as the killers were listening to his tracks during the shooting). Same as in the example above, I hardly believe that songs or games can be triggers to such deeds.
ReplyDelete2. I think that such equipment is quite fun and can be used as a good way to encourage some to exercise (especially if the weather outside is not good). Nevertheless, I do not think that such toys will replace traditional sports. Sometimes you just want to meet friends and spend time outdoors.
3. It was a very interesting video, but it did not really appeal to me. I do agree however with the thought that positive thinking, regular (intellectual and physical) exercise, spending time with friends can actually do that!
4. I give both... it all depends who wants what. Usually the younger generations get games (of course not the bloody ones) and the older books - that's just the way the cookie crumbles.
5. Of course they can. Nowadays we have apps for everything.
I didn’t want to put the blame for shootings on game developers.
DeleteI think that we would be able to put that blame on game developers, producers etc. if we proved first causality between bloody games and shootings. I was hope that somebody put links to scientific articles showing such causality, somebody try to falsify showed thesis and we start scientific discussion. Nothing more :-D.
It is interesting that I heard opinions that bloody games increase aggression and I don’t remember opinion that games with car races increase number of accidents on road. Did anybody hear about such thinking?
1. After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educated” assassins. Do you think that it can be true?
ReplyDeleteProbably not, in my opinion these games in most cases causes the discharge aggression. From playing the games no one can learn how to reload a weapon, or how to rob a bank...otherwise if somebody has a gun and knows how to use it, we have a problem :)
2. We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screen. On the other hand I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace in future “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts?
I think that “classical” activities can not be replaced. It's not just a sport, it is also spending time with other people, real competition, communing with nature, etc. Xbox + Kinect is of course better than the mouse and keyboard, but it still is only an imitation.
3. According to Jane McGonical: do you think that we can increase our life by playing games?
Hehe, when we sit in front of computer definitely we reduce the risk of our participation in car accident :) I do not agree with Jane, maybe gaming (sitting at the computer) max one hour a day is good, but who only a one hour doing it? I personally spend in the computer 10-12 h per day, and I think that it does rather not extend my life.
4. Do you prefer giving computer games or books (i.e. before Christmas) and why?
Rather, it will give an expected gift. I have no preferences such as: Giving games is bad and giving books OK.
5. Whether games can play a more educational than entertainment function in our life?
I'm thinking that games can play a more entertainment than educational in my life :) I do not know that other people think the same, but I think so.
Maybe games shouldn’t replace completely “classical” activities but I see that they replace in a big part. Similarly to cars – they shouldn’t replace walking and running but we walk and run less. I heard about situation during Christmas when child who gave the board game said after opening it “Uncle, DVD is missing” :-).
DeleteAbout games in education – I am interested if somebody took a part in any professional course where teacher/trainer/coach used games? I bought a few educational games, but I never took a part in course "driven by games".
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DeleteAfter almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
ReplyDeleteWe can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
I think that all bloody computer games, “shoot-them-all” type, are psychologically damaging. Specially for the younger generation. This is a recognised opinion of the most developmental psychologists publishing in american journals.
Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
I don’t think that playing computer games has anything to do with expending one’s lifespan.
Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
For me, it doesn’t matter if I choose a good book or a game. Gift should be tailored/matched to the person that we're going to give it to. He must be happy with the gift. I wouldn’t buy a game for a person who doesn’t even have a computer or he doesn’t like such a things.
Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
Absolutely true. Nowadays we have a lot of games that have been created for educational purposeses mainly for children and teens.
After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
ReplyDeleteI belive that games can desensitize people, because they value life much less. You don't get an "extra life" in real world, nor do you get special boosters. Plus, games may lead users to alter their judgment, because they see enemies everywhere.
2. We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
No! Never. Well, unless there is a nuclear disaster and everyone has to stay "in-doors".
3. Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
Sure, why not. The right games, that help relax.
4. Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
Books, always books. They help develop imagination, everyone can create their own world, it also enlarges the number of words that we use, makes us more eloquent.
5. Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
Of course, plenty of gamification examples are being introduced in Poland. I heard of a great example at InPost, where it took them forever to on-board a new employee. Right now each new task or procedure is gamified, which speeds up the process and makes it more enjoyable to new hires.
I cannot comment just yet on how positively effectual the game will be for me but I have hope that it will. I guess that is good enough since sometimes I don't have hope for much at all.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that a person's lifespan can be extended so much by doing things so simple. Persisting in building up physical, mental, emotional and social resilience would probably be quite hard - unless it's a game.
Good games in general are good for education and relaxation, which include sports, math, and more. Most video games in the market are not well designed. So most kids when they play video games are just waste of time. I rather see those kids play real games which would increase their human interaction skills.
After almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
ReplyDeleteI don't think, that game make from children assassins it is ridiculous,
In many situation children which are go to school with guns have problem because other children are laugh by them they punch them etc. and nobody don't do anything with that also because parents don't talk with children about they problem. So they want to show other that they have problem so they take gun and shoot to others to show that they have enough that situation.
So it isn't fault of games but parents because in many cases they don't interesting they children.
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We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
I don't think that this equipment will replace classical activities. Classic activities is not only move but also it is meting with other people and spend with them time:) I try XBox Kinect and it is true it's can be exhausting but still it isn't the same when I meet with friends to play real basketball or to go and ride on snowboard for real:)
Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
I don't think so
Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
I like both I like games and books :)
Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
For sure :)
ReplyDeleteAfter almost every shooting we can hear that bloody games “educate” assassins. Do you think it can be true?
Not really. Bloody games can bring some “bestiality” to the real world but the true assassins do not need games I think.
We can hear that obesity of today’s children is caused by spending too much time in front of computer screens. On the other hand, I see that children like equipment like Xbox + Kinect. Do you think that such equipment can replace “classical” activities like playing football on school’s courts in the foreseeable future?
No. I would say that semi exercises that can be performed using games equipment are rather devastating. I had a chance to observe how kids react. It is far from the natural behaviour.
Do you think we can increase our lifespan playing games?
Maybe mental one playing chess :)
Do you prefer giving computer games or books for presents and why?
I prefer to give things that are good quality and are really needed or can be really used by the person receiving it.
Can games play more educational than entertaining function in our life?
I believe it’s a mixture.