Who’s playing now?

  The sight of teenaged boys clustered around a game console or computer monitor, controllers in hand and eyes fixed on the screen, is now a familiar one in many libraries.  But wait…are those players really boys?  Or even teenagers?  Or…are there a few gray heads in the mix? 

In fact, the increase in older people buying and enjoying electronic games is a phenomenon attracting attention, and librarians should take note.  Much of the new action is due to the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, a more senior-friendly game platform than its higher-tech competitors.  According to a recent N.Y. Times article, the growth now in the gaming market is in “simple, user-friendly experiences that families and friends can enjoy together.”   

And also, apparently, retirees:  The Wii is becoming a staple component of group exercise equipment at senior living facilities around South Carolina.  People who are comfortable using a TV remote controller find the transition to the Wii very natural.  And the fitness potential?  Fantastic, compared to TV watching.   

We haven’t actually heard of game programs being offered for seniors in libraries in our state…yet!  But, as the graying of library patrons increases over the coming decade, we think more senior friendly activities should be offered in libraries.  Who’s game?

 

Growth of Gaming Outpaces Movies and Music

We’ve talked a lot about game technology this year, so honestly, I wasn’t a surprise when I read this on ars technica–

2007 was a banner year for video gaming, and the industry has the figures to prove it. The Entertainment Software Association announced today that total sales for 2007 were $18.85 billion, with $9.5 billion of that spent on games (both PC and console) and $9.35 billion on consoles.

read more | digg story

 

Watch Sesame Street on the computer!

Looking for something new to offer to your youngest customers?

The Sesame Street folks have added a video player to their website, providing access to hundreds of short clips from the show.  They feature videos of the major characters, including Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie & Bert, Elmo, Zoe, The Count, and Grover, but you can also do a keyword search to find other characters or topics.

Go to Sesame Workshop to check them out, but don’t forget to spend some time checking out the educational games while you’re there!

(P.S.  Do a search for “library” in the video player.  There are some cute ones available.  My personal favorite is the one of Elmo singing “Where are the computers in your neighborhood?”  At the library, of course!)

 

What can we learn about educational games from Sesame Street?

I was just reading an interesting post by John Rice over on the Educational Games Research blog.  He says:

…the Sesame Street writers ventured out to craft episodes designed to teach kids “warm and fuzzy” concepts, such as the benefits of sharing, empathy, and accepting death and birth as part of the natural order of life. Increasingly, serious game makers are realizing that videogames are perhaps the best medium for instilling “fuzzy” lessons like this in students. Teamwork can easily be practiced within a MMOG [massively multi-player online game]; consequences to choices can be easily realized in a good RPG [role playing game].

Read the entire post.

What he says about games is great, but I must say that the best lesson I’ve learned from Sesame Street (not counting the Spanish vocabulary words) is that learning can be fun, and when it’s fun, I’m much more engaged as a student.  I have such fond memories of Big Bird and Oscar.  (Can’t say quite the same about all the teachers I’ve had over the years…especially in Spanish class.)   There’s also a subtle message to teachers that when you’re having fun, your students are too, and that’s something that I’ve tried to use when I’m doing instruction of any kind.

I think the key word in all this is “fun.”

 

A top 10 list of free educational games…

John Rice, educator, author, and speaker specializing in educational technology and instructional gaming has put out his Top 10 List of free educational games on his blog, Educational Games Research.

He writes:  “The main reason for inclusion in the top 10 was the impact a game had on the educational gaming field. “

He’s included the learning objectives, the host URL’s, and notes on each game.  To be included, the game had to be free and preferably available on the web.

Check out the list.