Learning and Entertainment...What?

As I read the article on simulation and gaming, I started thinking about my own experiences. On facebook, I "play" Farmville and other games. In Farmville, I am a farmer who has to take care of the farm and watch over animals, plant crops, etc. Of course, I do it for fun and don't think much of it. In College I played Doom and spent countless hours trying to get to the next level.

I found it interesting that they modified Doom to use in the classroom. While I thought it was brilliant, I was concerned with the violence of the game.

The following line left me with more questions,"They must be entertained while they learn. If they are not entertained while they learn, then you've lost them". This goes back to the discussion of texting and the use of hand held devices in schools. It is becoming more apparent (to me) that we are losing students. Maybe I never thought of it that way. As I walk into my daughters preschool there is a computer that enables students to draw, create pictures, etc.. I guess you could say this is the most basic form of gaming.

The last line of the article, "Why not make learning in our schools joyful?", left me asking....How? Does the use of technology make it more joyful? What role can we playing creating a renewed atmosphere in schools? I think learning encompasses much more than the student....it includes teachers, admins., parents, etc.

Possibly the concepts shared in the google earth video could be used in classrooms... So that students in Los Angeles could interact with students in New York. I think that might add to students learning and could be entertaining.....