Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health in Kids

June 23, 2009 -

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.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.
 
Forgot your password?
Username :
Password :

Shout box

You're not permitted to post shouts.
Papa MidnightMonte: That's honestly rather short-sighted. As has been proven with other persons who have been targeted, if it wasn't Quinn, it would be someone else.10/18/2014 - 6:26pm
AvalongodI think that's part of what gives an esoteric news story like this real life...it taps into a larger narrative about misogyny in society outside of games.10/18/2014 - 3:29pm
Avalongod@Monte, well the trolls made death threats that came to police (and media attention). I think this is tapping into a larger issue outside of games about how women are treated in society (like all the "real rape" stuff during the last election)10/18/2014 - 3:28pm
WonderkarpZippy : Havent tried the PS4 controller. might later.10/18/2014 - 2:37pm
MonteSeirously, If Quinn was not involved and GG was instead about something like the Mordor Marketing contracts, the trolling would have never grown so vile and disgusting. There have been plenty of movements in the past that never sufferred from behavior..10/18/2014 - 1:57pm
MonteWe have seen scandel's before but the trolling has never been as vile as what we see with GG. Trolls usually have such a tiny voice you can barely notice them, but its like moths to a flame whenever femistist are involved.10/18/2014 - 1:53pm
ZippyDSMleeWonderkarp: You might be able to if you had a PS4 controller.10/18/2014 - 1:00pm
MaskedPixelantehttp://store.steampowered.com/app/327940/ Night Dive starts charging for freeware.10/18/2014 - 12:21pm
Matthew Wilsonthe sad thing is there are trolls on both sides of this. people need to stop acting like their side is so pure.10/18/2014 - 12:19pm
MechaTama31So, only speak out on a scandal that hasn't attracted trolls? I wouldn't hold my breath...10/18/2014 - 10:49am
MonteI feel like GG just needs to die. The movement is FAR to tainted by hatred and BS for it to be useful for any conversation. Let GG die, and then rally behind the NEXT gaming journalism scandal, and start the conversation fresh.10/18/2014 - 10:33am
quiknkoldand we dont have a Dovakin to call a cease fire10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldThe whole thing is Futile. Both sides are so buried deep in their trenchs that there isnt a conversation. Its just Finger Pointing, Name Calling, Doxxing, Threats. there needs to be a serious conversation, and GG isnt it.10/17/2014 - 7:37pm
quiknkoldI thought it was a good article. Jeff is right. I feel like GamerGate did destroy its message. I am for Ethics in game journalism, but man. so much hate. and its on both sides. I've seen some awful stuff spewed on twitter. Its a big reason why I exited..10/17/2014 - 7:34pm
Matthew Wilsonwhile he focused on gg, he did call out both sides crap.10/17/2014 - 7:18pm
Papa MidnightThat was a damn good read offered by Jeff Gertsmann.10/17/2014 - 7:17pm
Matthew Wilsonhttp://www.giantbomb.com/articles/letter-from-the-editor-10-17-2014/1100-5049/ deferentially a nice write up.10/17/2014 - 6:44pm
james_fudgeI think Evan killed it. He's a great guy and super smart.10/17/2014 - 6:38pm
TechnogeekPapa Midnight: I kind of figured "it's horrible" was implied by "CNN".10/17/2014 - 5:07pm
james_fudgeMatthew I mean outlets that don't cover games normally.. and conservative sites looking for clicks10/17/2014 - 4:39pm
 

Be Heard - Contact Your Politician