Libraries Use Video Games to Encourage Kids to Read
It's no secret that kids are reading less these days, and attracting the youth back to the printed page is no small undertaking. Publishers and authors are increasingly looking for ways to get kids engaged, and the newest scheme is... video games.
PJ Haarsma writes a series of science-fiction novels aimed at pre-teens, and the novels come with an online game that encourages children to explore the world of Orbis, where the books take place. The game does not exist in a vacuum -- kids need to use information from the books to advance in the game. And, Mr. Haarsma isn't alone in this novel use of... novels. 'The Maze of Bones' is a 10-part mystery series with an online gaming component weaving through the novels. Random House commissioned an online game in advance of Christopher Paolini's 'Brisingr,' the third installment in his youth-oriented fantasy series 'Inheritance Cycle.'
Some folks, however, have taken this tactic to completely illogical extremes. Libraries across the U.S., including the New York Public Library (NYPL), have started hosting video game tournaments for teens. The program could be considered an innovative approach if it actually tied books and learning to the button mashing. But, instead of using games like 'World of Warcraft,' 'Grand Theft Auto,' or 'Civilization,' which involve complex story lines, compelling characters, and deep strategy, the NYPL has opted to use 'Dance Dance Revolution' and 'Super Smash Brothers' -- games that are little more than button mashing and leg flailing. (Though, to be fair, such beat-intensive games at least teach kids something about music.) [From New York Times]
Jack Martin, assistant director of young adult programs at the NYPL, attempted to redefine the very word 'reading,' while discussing the game tournaments with the New York Times. "I think we have to ask ourselves," Martin said,"'What exactly is reading?' Reading is no longer just in the traditional sense of reading words in English or another language on a paper."
Some, like Lyn Lord, a social studies teacher in New Hampshire, are putting games to good use. Lord uses the popular 'Civilization' series to help her students understand how societies arise, why some thrive and others fail, and why leaders make some of the decisions they do.
We're excited to see innovative uses of games and technology to encourage children to read and learn, but in the case of the New York Public Library's game tournaments tournaments, we're simply left scratching our heads. [From: NY Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ethan @ Oct 12th 2008 10:20PM
Well, the majority of my early primary school reading was probably pokémon.
Griever92 @ Oct 14th 2008 8:36PM
Mario Teaches Typing anyone?