Reflection 1

"Is there more to online games than fun?"

Online games aim to provide fun, laughter, and an enjoyable experience. However, this is not the sole purpose of online games. They are not only designed for fun but for an educational experience. My brother for example, plays online games at school, including Mathletics and Literacy Planet. These games focus on areas such as English and Maths, whilst allowing him to interact and engage in an entertaining and fun game. Watching my brother play, and reflecting on my past experiences, I am able to question “is there more to online games than fun?”, and confidently answer, yes. I also consider, “is my brother just having fun or learning as well?”. I know he is learning as his timestables are getting better through repetition, even though he thinks he is just having fun. His spelling and literacy is also improving, whilst listening to catchy music and watching colourful cartoons, as they assist in explaining difficult concepts in a more enjoyable, interactive way, therefore helping him to remember with more ease. Online games such as Literacy Planet, are intrinsically motivated games where the achievement, interest and curiosity is what encourages children to continue playing. The key components of a game, include setting goals for children to achieve, and challenges for them to overcome (P. Cleeves, personal communication, August 21, 2017). By encouraging children to complete these goals, so they can accomplish the challenges, they are able to think creatively, and develop their problem-solving skills.

This question is significant to me because having a passion for teaching and working in an after-school care centre, enables me to understand the importance of ensuring worthwhile experiences that the children will enjoy, but will ultimately result in them developing their skills, such as cognitive thinking. Ensuring online games are more than just fun is essential for my future as a professional teacher, as I want to ensure that the children in my classes are becoming intellectual thinkers, whilst having fun on their learning experience (Krotoski, 2010).

Word Count: 330

My brother playing Literacy Planet.
Photo taken by Lauren Greenaway.

References

Krotoski, A. (2010). Serious fun with computer games. Nature, 466 (7307), 695. Retrieved August 30, 2017 from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy1.acu.edu.au/docview/744076038/fulltext/DB060EECB0F4473DPQ/1?accountid=8194