The Neys and Jansz article examines the impact of online political games. The study surveyed a group of participants who played certain games centered around specific political issues. The results illustrated how the players’ knowledge and opinion of the political issues were changed by the game. Some players took action that extended beyond the game, such as researching the issue or discussing it with friends or family, meaning that the games have potential to influence politics in other aspects of their lives. The Maguth, List and Wunderle article discusses video games as a means for teaching social studies. The authors see it as a way of engaging students with something the students already play with and have interest in. Video games were incorporated into standard class curriculum and allowed students to experience the subject matter they were learning through gaming characters, environments and other elements. The Kellner and Share article stresses the importance of bringing critical media literacy into all classrooms. It is a way to examine media and its reproduction of oppression and discrimination of marginalized groups. It is also a way to create alternative representations of those disparate experiences. Flanagan discusses the intersection of art, play and social issues. She shows how games can teach empathy and tolerance as well as offer spaces for creativity and critical thinking.
The Maguth, List and Wunderle study made me think about my experiences in K-12 where the teacher incorporated a medium or alternative concept that students might be interested in to make the assignment more engaging. With the exception of TVs and movie projectors, there wasn’t much digital media when I was in K-12. But there were certain assignments that allowed us to learn in a different format than the traditional lecture/listen forum. In 6th grade we had to build a contraption to watch a solar eclipse. While building it we learned about the solar system. In another assignment, as part of learning vocabulary, we had to create our own crossword puzzle. These assignments were fun and engaging so learning wasn’t as forced as the traditional style.
What are the pros and cons of K-12 students learning from a textbook versus learning via interactive digital media? Would the incorporation of additional mediums be effective in addressing different learning styles?
Sylvia's blog 
The solar system assignment you did sounds very interesting! I think there are many pros to learning with interactive digital media. I think that other types of media (such as videos, games, and even hands-on projects) are more engaging than traditional learning, which leads to interest in exploring the topic more and critically thinking about the topic. I do think that it would be a good way of reaching out to students with different learning styles. It would also give students the opportunity to experience learning styles they aren’t comfortable with. A con may be that it is hard to incorporate different media styles with the limited time and resources teachers have.
LikeLike
I agree with you that the activities need to be fun and engaging for meaningful learning to occur. I remember having to do similar activities in school. as well. These activities stood out to me and helped me learn and remember important concepts. I think that the incorporation of different mediums in teaching is important so that we can cater to all learning styles. I think that using both interactive media and the text book can be fun and engaging just as much as it can be boring. It is up to teachers to present the material in a fun and engaging manor.
LikeLike
Sylvia, I also did a similar assignment when I was in the 5th grade as well relating to the solar system. You mentioned that when you were in K-12 that TV and projectors were out, so I was rather curious if they were implemented into the classroom and if so what were your thoughts and opinions on them.
LikeLike