November 16, 2007
Video-Gamers Get Their Own Lab at a Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College set up a “Game Pit” devoted to video gaming, and officials say it is helping to spark excitement on campus and bring people together socially between classes (see The Chronicle’s video report, below).
Has your college set up a similar video-gaming room? Is this a good idea? —Jeffrey R. Young
Posted on Friday November 16, 2007 | Permalink |Comments
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This week’s Chronicle also includes an article about declining literacy rates among college graduates and how that is an irritant to employers as well as a problem for the future of Democracy.
This “game pit” concept (aptly named) is any easy substitute for the more difficult task of producing serious-minded, genuinely educated graduates. This one should go right into the “Duh!” department.
— Ken Nov 19, 07:41 AM #
This “game pit” idea should be very attractive to college students today. It is another form of escapism from more important priorities of college students who, although brighter than previous generations, are less inclined to work hard and be focused. Instead, they seem most interested in socializing, looking good, and partying. Many do not have any strong work ethic. This is truly the entertainment generation! What this means for the future is something for all to ponder.
— Tom Nov 19, 10:55 AM #
I disagree (to some degree) with Ken and Tom. While excessive video gaming – or any non-studying activity – can lead to poor grades or apathetic graduates. The same argument could be made for athletes or club members.
Studying is certainly necessary, but students need a way to blow off steam as well. The advances in technology lead to more advanced and in-depth types of entertainment. Besides, there are many studies that show that video gaming has benefits, too, such as better hand-eye coordination and reflexes. It should be mentioned that the frontier of marketing involves in-game advertising and game-related activities, so those who are “in the know” about video gaming are better suited to help companies tap this market effectively. In other words, video gaming is HELPING them prepare for the real world.
— Gordon Nov 19, 12:03 PM #
Video gaming is a huge part of life as we know it today. There are jobs in all aspects of video games that college graduates should be prepared for (programming, human-computer interaction, in addition to the marketing aspects mentioned previously).
While these students aren’t studying when they are playing these games. They are READING, the text of the game, reviews of the games, strategies for how to do better, they are using decision making skills, dealing with the consequences, and more. But Prof. Gee from Arizona State says this much better. See: http://gaming.techsource.ala.org/index.php/Libraries%2C_Gaming%2C_and_the_New_Equity_Crisis
We have video games to lend, as a way of encouraging all of the above and promoting community. How is this different from having films to check out?
— Annie Nov 21, 12:42 PM #