Thing 15~Online Games

Games and their importance in our education system? I am still trying to figure out how putting my library online would make it a more user-friendly place for my students. I personally like the one on one interaction with the students verses the computer avatar. Our school district finds that games really do not have much importance; therefore, most of the gaming sites are blocked. Bandwidth tends to be the answer the technology director gives when asked why we don't allow games during school hours. Our servers have problems keeping up with all of the computers so blocking out games helps keep the technology problems to a minimum. Certain gaming sites have been allowed for the first time ever in our library. I have found that students spend more of their free time in the media center playing games. Where is the education value with some of the games? I am not quite sure but I do know that I have had less trouble with students visiting inappropriate sites than ever before.

I am not one that likes to spend much time on games. I would rather read a good book. Second Life may be valuable for some schools or public libraries but our district will not be leaning in this direction any time soon. Throughout this thing, I keep wondering how many districts would allow their schools to become virtual reality? What would be the guidelines that would have to be set up to become a virtual reality school? How many schools would block this? Will school districts that do block online games change any time soon? What will it take to change districts opinions on the importance of a virtual reality? Are we the only district that finds online games to be a problem with their servers? How can we solve this problem? Is this an issue of privacy or security for students?

I read through the eight myths about online gaming. I still find it hard to believe that research says that gaming does not lead to violence. I believe that students that do not have an understanding between games and real world can turn to violence in certain situations. I do think that games are more targeted today towards kids. Look at all of the new systems that are available, like the Xbox 360, Wii, etc. Who are the ones that are purchasing them? Parents are purchasing them for their children for Christmas. Anyone who watched the news around Christmas time say how parents stood in line for hours waiting to get the Wii.

I took a look at the puzzle pirates, which took forever to download onto the computer, and I researched about the Second Life. I have a hard time finding a use for Second Life in my library. Second Life may be useful if students want to interact with other students when they are at home. I find it hard to recommend turning my library into a virtual reality. Some places are having classes on virtual reality. I find it hard to want to take a class where I can’t directly see the person. Maybe I am a little too concerned about personal identity and how to best protect my students and myself. There are just too many scary people in this world to not want to protect my students, as well as, myself.