School made fun: New York public school to teach children with video games

Ever wished playing video games was allowed in school? No need to keep it secret; we know that even the do-gooder type of gamers fantasize about learning math with Mario or flora with Aeris. Fortunately for the young, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation dished out some dough to fund a New York City public school planning to use games for teaching literacy and other skills.

The school, accepting students from grades 6 through 12, is expected to open its doors come fall 2009. For now, nonprofit organizations Gamelab Institute of Play, together with New Visions for Public Schools will be working on how to make an educational institution incorporating “game design and game-inspired methods.” Game designers, literacy experts, and educators will help out to make sure that the system will be effective. Curriculum will also be made to reach NYC graduation standards.

New Visions president Robert Hughes mentioned that they want to “re-imagine the traditional school from top to bottom.” He also hopes that “gaming literacy” can produce competent children that will be successful in college and their future careers. Playing MGS games to become effective politicians sounds pretty good.

Gamelab Institute of Play executive director Katie Salen wants the school to offer a learning experience similar to the process of making, sharing, and playing games. “All players in the school – teachers, students, parents and administrators – will be empowered to innovate using 21st century literacies that are native to games and design,” she said. Parents encouraging you to be a gamer while studying – it can’t get any better.

According to her, learning from game design’s perspective means:

to think about the world as a set of in interconnected systems that can be affected or changed through action and choice, the ability to navigate complex information networks, the power to build worlds and tell stories, to see collaboration in competition, and communicate across diverse social spaces.

Sounds too brainy? Learning how to make friends by getting your hands on The Sims or practicing your building skills with SimCity doesn’t seem bad at all.

Via Gamasutra

Ever wished playing video games was allowed in school? No need to keep it secret; we know that even the do-gooder type of gamers fantasize about learning math with Mario or flora with Aeris. Fortunately for the young, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation dished out some dough to fund a New York City public school planning to use games for teaching literacy and other skills.

The school, accepting students from grades 6 through 12, is expected to open its doors come fall 2009. For now, nonprofit organizations Gamelab Institute of Play, together with New Visions for Public Schools will be working on how to make an educational institution incorporating “game design and game-inspired methods.” Game designers, literacy experts, and educators will help out to make sure that the system will be effective. Curriculum will also be made to reach NYC graduation standards.

New Visions president Robert Hughes mentioned that they want to “re-imagine the traditional school from top to bottom.” He also hopes that “gaming literacy” can produce competent children that will be successful in college and their future careers. Playing MGS games to become effective politicians sounds pretty good.

Gamelab Institute of Play executive director Katie Salen wants the school to offer a learning experience similar to the process of making, sharing, and playing games. “All players in the school – teachers, students, parents and administrators – will be empowered to innovate using 21st century literacies that are native to games and design,” she said. Parents encouraging you to be a gamer while studying – it can’t get any better.

According to her, learning from game design’s perspective means:

to think about the world as a set of in interconnected systems that can be affected or changed through action and choice, the ability to navigate complex information networks, the power to build worlds and tell stories, to see collaboration in competition, and communicate across diverse social spaces.

Sounds too brainy? Learning how to make friends by getting your hands on The Sims or practicing your building skills with SimCity doesn’t seem bad at all.

Via Gamasutra