I found ‘The Weblog of Dean Groom’ article, “Why won’t she get off Minecraft?” very fun to read. Usually, when writers are so vehement about something I am tempted to question their motives, however, I found myself agreeing with, or believing most of the points that she had to say about Minecraft.
The first point of interest was her talking about the hours and hours of non-advertising time that kids (and adults) are now not devoting to watching ads on TV. Whether or not that is the reason that mass-media has a slag campaign that labels gaming as addictive I am not quite sure.
Another point that rings true with me is that of parents rarely being involved in their students games and in particular, Minecraft. I must admit that two years ago when I heard a fellow teacher talk about her whole family being on Minecraft together, all from different parts of the house, I thought she was a bit crazy. Maybe if I let my feelings open up a bit I may even have thought it was a bit geeky with a pinch of bad parenting. However, over the last few weeks as I have learned more about Minecraft, played it with my two new step-sons, and been taught astronomical amounts by students at my school I am realizing that I may have been a bit judgmental.
Years back, I was in a seminar with parents where the presenter asked for a show of hands to see how many parents had bought their kids ‘Grand Theft Auto’. He then proceeded to show them a clip from the game and I am sure it had something to do with hookers and killing cops. He then asked how many of the parents knew that was part of the game and a large part of them admitted to their ignorance. Once again, my judgmental side reared its head and thought, “that would never happen to me.” However, years later, there I was again judging my step-son’s as lazy while Dean Groom is referring to Minecraft as, “not about occupying or filling in time – it’s about meaningful work.” (2012) The funny thing is that I am starting to agree with her.
It is a dangerous thing to even go looking into infographics on Minecraft. I pulled two of my favourite ones to add here. There first one made me realize why @notch was mentioned in several readings. The second one has some very funny Minecraft ‘secrets.
On a very different note, an article written by Sophie Curtis entitled, “Women gamers aged over 35 outnumber men,” speaks about some of the gender differences that exist in the gaming world. The fact that women over 35 are more active gamers surprised me at first but when I think about my world alone and the number of aunts and grandmothers that I have sending me Bejewelled requests on facebook it seems to make a great deal of sense. I an article I recently read it referred to men spending more time downloading and streaming movies than women. I guess this is what the spouses of those men are up to in order to, “to break away from their daily routine and at the same time get some mental stimulation.” (Curtis, 2013)
The fact that, “Cooking games, dress-up games and pet caring games are particularly popular amongst girls, while boys prefer racing games, sports games and action games,” is no surprise to me. It always amazes me how my daughter can spend hours on Wii dressing a Bichon-Frise in pink bows and knitted sweaters.
The final point in her article was one that I had not previously thought of. She mentions that more devices will be developed to support this growing area. It seems obvious now, but I guess I had always thought of the electronics companies creating the devices and the software companies having to adapt to the needs of the hardware.
One thing I have realized throughout these readings is the validity of Greg Lewis’s comment when he states that six weeks is not barely enough time to cover the basics in this field.
The first point of interest was her talking about the hours and hours of non-advertising time that kids (and adults) are now not devoting to watching ads on TV. Whether or not that is the reason that mass-media has a slag campaign that labels gaming as addictive I am not quite sure.
Another point that rings true with me is that of parents rarely being involved in their students games and in particular, Minecraft. I must admit that two years ago when I heard a fellow teacher talk about her whole family being on Minecraft together, all from different parts of the house, I thought she was a bit crazy. Maybe if I let my feelings open up a bit I may even have thought it was a bit geeky with a pinch of bad parenting. However, over the last few weeks as I have learned more about Minecraft, played it with my two new step-sons, and been taught astronomical amounts by students at my school I am realizing that I may have been a bit judgmental.
Years back, I was in a seminar with parents where the presenter asked for a show of hands to see how many parents had bought their kids ‘Grand Theft Auto’. He then proceeded to show them a clip from the game and I am sure it had something to do with hookers and killing cops. He then asked how many of the parents knew that was part of the game and a large part of them admitted to their ignorance. Once again, my judgmental side reared its head and thought, “that would never happen to me.” However, years later, there I was again judging my step-son’s as lazy while Dean Groom is referring to Minecraft as, “not about occupying or filling in time – it’s about meaningful work.” (2012) The funny thing is that I am starting to agree with her.
It is a dangerous thing to even go looking into infographics on Minecraft. I pulled two of my favourite ones to add here. There first one made me realize why @notch was mentioned in several readings. The second one has some very funny Minecraft ‘secrets.
On a very different note, an article written by Sophie Curtis entitled, “Women gamers aged over 35 outnumber men,” speaks about some of the gender differences that exist in the gaming world. The fact that women over 35 are more active gamers surprised me at first but when I think about my world alone and the number of aunts and grandmothers that I have sending me Bejewelled requests on facebook it seems to make a great deal of sense. I an article I recently read it referred to men spending more time downloading and streaming movies than women. I guess this is what the spouses of those men are up to in order to, “to break away from their daily routine and at the same time get some mental stimulation.” (Curtis, 2013)
The fact that, “Cooking games, dress-up games and pet caring games are particularly popular amongst girls, while boys prefer racing games, sports games and action games,” is no surprise to me. It always amazes me how my daughter can spend hours on Wii dressing a Bichon-Frise in pink bows and knitted sweaters.
The final point in her article was one that I had not previously thought of. She mentions that more devices will be developed to support this growing area. It seems obvious now, but I guess I had always thought of the electronics companies creating the devices and the software companies having to adapt to the needs of the hardware.
One thing I have realized throughout these readings is the validity of Greg Lewis’s comment when he states that six weeks is not barely enough time to cover the basics in this field.