Eat lunch at your desk today and catch an important webcast about games and kids.
At Noon the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop will launch a two-hour webcast to coincide with today's release of the organization's report Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health. From the press release:
The report, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, specifies how increased national investment in research-based digital games might accelerate children’s learning and healthy development.
The panel will discuss the Center’s recommendations for the media industry, government, philanthropy and academia to consider for expanding research, development and use of digital games.
Panelists for the webcast include:
- Michael Levine Ph.D., Director, the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop
- Gary E. Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop
- David Abrams, Executive Director, Schroeder Institute at the American Legacy Foundation
- Alan Gershenfeld, Founder and President, E Line Ventures
- Debra Lieberman Ph.D., Director, Health Games Research
- Scot Osterweil, Creative Director, MIT Education Arcade
- Susan Zelman Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) who chairs the Congressional Entertainment Caucus was also invited to serve on the panel but it is unclear whether or not she will appear.
Comments
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
I think you might be misconstruing the purpose of this. They're going to be talking about using games as educational tools, not about trying to ban violent video games. I don't know where you got that.
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
Here's an idea, instead of combating culture that will steamroll over whatever barriers they put up against it, why don't they try grouping up with the leading game companies and schools, and give kids cards based on their grades that get them free games/gameplay/items in games?
So billy makes straight A's, his school gives him a 4.0 'platinum' card with his own number. He signs onto his favorite online retailer or goes to his favorite electronics store, and trades the card for a shiny new copy of any age-appropriate game as determined by the ESRB. (I.E. no T rated games for 12 and under. No M rated games for 17 and under), or grants billy a significant discount on a shiny new console or handheld system. The companies that participate get a tax break as compensation.
It would serve a number of purposes. First it'd encourage kids to focus on their schooling to pursue their hobbies, and give 'getting good grades' some REAL relevance and reward in their lives, instead of a 'pat on the head'. Secondly, it'd encourage american game development.
Thirdly, it'd hinder sales of inappropriate games to minors. Billy can't apply the card to an M rated game, because he's only 13. Fourthly, it'd encourage development of games that fell into the E or T ratings. I've always personally wished that the excessive blood and gore was an official download, instead of integrated with the game.
Or they could be idiots and spend their time fighting this. FFS, /B/ is more a threat to our children's education and well being than violent video games are. LOL
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
But didn't Obama say to ban the games and get books instead? Oh wait, he's a moron, there, I said it, I'd say it again.
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
Check out this article on Yahoo
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/drmao/19035/4-exercises-to-sharpen-your-...
Almost everything in there is done while playing video games
http://www.eliteownage.com/nice
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
I hope this goes the right way. I've been running a program for a non-profit that uses games to teach kids for 3 years now and I'm always dismayed when supportive news falls on deaf ears.
Re: Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health ...
Somebody better tell Obama they are trying to undermine his agenda.
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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.