My Gaming Experiences

Personal Experience

When it comes to gaming in my personal life I must say that I enjoy the experience.  I am always looking for new games to play on my devices.  I tend to look for games that challenge the mind and require me to think through a lot of situations.  Most of my games are played on my iPad and iPhone.  My most played game is Candy Crush Saga.  I also play a few video games on the PS3 with my husband.  If I am not doing something at home and there is just TV to watch I would prefer to play a game instead.  I feel like gaming keeps my mind going and that is something I need.


Classroom Experience

I am currently teaching in a 3rd grade classroom where technology is used a lot.  My students use their own devices and in the classroom.  I encourage the students to use their devices on any downtime.  To monitor the students' use I require them to get on my website to find games listed on there.  The students are able to find games at home and ask me to add them to my website.  The students will play games after they finish blogging in the morning or finish Tenmarks (a math website to practice concepts already learned).  The students are also encouraged to get on a game or a website listed on my website when they finish an assignment early in class.  I have noticed that my student really enjoy playing coolmath.com and also like competing on math facts in a flash (a program the school purchased).  My students are also intrigued in Minecraft, a game that you can only play if it is purchased.  Many compare Minecraft to Google Earth when we take "walks" to different parts of the earth.  I try to provide many different games to meet the learning styles of each student but some still prefer to read a book or work on seat work than play a game or use technology.


How gaming can be detrimental in learning situations?

I believe gaming can be detrimental in learning situations by providing opportunities for students to think through situations and to problem solve to reach new "levels" in a game.  Many of my students are competitive in what they achieve in a game and in the classroom.  I also believe gaming provides a lot of opportunities for students to be social and work as a team to achieve more.  I have noticed many times my students talking through games and helping one another get through an obstacle.  Gaming can also be detrimental in learning situations by allowing the students to critically think and help keep students engaged in their learning.  I noticed a whole new classroom once I started allowing students to bring their own devices.  Once by students completed an assignment they would get out their devices and continue their learning by playing educational games.  My students remained engaged in their learning and do not become "bored" while waiting for everyone to finish an assignment.  Children have grown up with technology all around them and many feel comfortable using and learning through technology so I think it is very beneficial to allow the use of it even through games.