In the article, “Critical Media Literacy is Not An Option” by Kellner and Share, both authors emphasize the dire need for change within literacy education and how to incorporate it in a more inclusive way. They talk about how we must introduce critical media and allow for students to be creative which can allow for them to be more social in society. In the second article, “Teaching Social Studies With Video Games” by Maguth, List, and Wunderle, they introduce their study on video games, more specifically Age of Empires II, and how they can be helpful to students in their history classes. The study proved that as long as the students were learning things in the game that they would learn in the classroom regardless and matches the curriculum, why shouldn’t it be deemed as a valid teaching tool? In the third article “Political Internet Games: Engaging an Audience,” the authors discuss how political internet games can influence their audience and have an effect on them. They concluded that these games CAN actually persuade audiences to think a certain way because of their expressive power and engagement. BUT further research does need to be done to find out if the engagement was due to play or content. In the last reading, Flanagan discusses how important games are and how they are a system in imagining what CAN be. She says games can be a new way of thinking which can showcase a different logic. Games should be allowed as a creative outlet and they are important in understanding different realities and choosing the one that suits you the most.
Personally, I was never able to use video games in my school/learning experience. Nevertheless I could totally see how it could be beneficial! It is so cool how the kids were actually playing a game where the typical educational curriculum was not the main focus, but still was a way of learning. The game they were playing was more strategic which allows for the student to think in complex ways.
How can more of these games be introduced into the school curriculum?
Natalie's Blog 
Hi Natalie! I enjoyed reading your blog post and could also relate to your personal experience section. I also was never able to use video games in my learning experience, and this class kind of makes me wish I could have had a chance to apply video games into my educational learning. I agree that it is helpful to students because it offers them a way of learning that is not strictly curriculum based. Anyway, great blog! Have a great week 🙂
LikeLike