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Does the increase in online learning and teaching offer any possibilities for console-based education ? There seems to be no technical reason why not as long as the right software gets developed. However many gamers might react to such a development direction in a very negative manner, after all aren't consoles a way to 'escape' for a few hours. Is it possible that using consoles for education could cause them to become uncool ?
There are many obvious benefits of online learning - for example, a student can mix deadly materials/chemicals, or blow electronic circuits in a safe and virtual environment without any danger to themselves or the environment. Also the virtual materials being used are free and infinite. OK, so the student is not getting real hands-on experience, but for certain applications that is not necessarily a bad thing.
That covers online learning from a simulation based approach, but we should also acknowledge (as many do in these forums every day) that games allow the laws of physics and nature to be changed. An example of this is using a biology package to speed up the growth of a simulated plant or person, or using any of the 'I am God' type games (Black and White, Civilisation, etc.) to illustrate how a simple decision can change the way a society develops over time.
Recent articles on indicate that it should be possible to use a handheld console on school field trips (for example the game boy advance linked to a camera) in the place of more expensive laptops that not every student can afford (imagine a bunch of kids heading off to document a nature walk for example). Also, many graphic-based learning materials can easily be ported to a cartridge based medium.
Console manufacturers already have released development kits for their platforms that allow practically anyone with programming skills to develop educational software for the masses (look at PS2 with the Linux development kit). So getting the software shouldn't be a problem.
I remember getting my Dad to buy me my first computer on the strength of the fact that it was 'educational'.... not that I used it for educational reasons (but mind you, I did learn basic so that I could program simple games.... DOH ! I actually did learn something !), as gaming was my goal from the start.
But do we want our gaming world to be invaded by scenes of education and learning ? I mean violence in video games is one thing, but trigonometry .... no thanks !
Would the appearance of educational software on our favourite consoles take the good out of them ? Or would it bother you at all ?
Some people will of course argue that even if educational software does appear we don't need to buy it... but what if one console in particular suddenly had a whole range of educational titles available for it.... really think about that for a minute and be honest, can you really say it wouldn't turn you off a bit ? "Oh THAT console is for geeks to learn on....."
What do you think ?
There are many obvious benefits of online learning - for example, a student can mix deadly materials/chemicals, or blow electronic circuits in a safe and virtual environment without any danger to themselves or the environment. Also the virtual materials being used are free and infinite. OK, so the student is not getting real hands-on experience, but for certain applications that is not necessarily a bad thing.
That covers online learning from a simulation based approach, but we should also acknowledge (as many do in these forums every day) that games allow the laws of physics and nature to be changed. An example of this is using a biology package to speed up the growth of a simulated plant or person, or using any of the 'I am God' type games (Black and White, Civilisation, etc.) to illustrate how a simple decision can change the way a society develops over time.
Recent articles on indicate that it should be possible to use a handheld console on school field trips (for example the game boy advance linked to a camera) in the place of more expensive laptops that not every student can afford (imagine a bunch of kids heading off to document a nature walk for example). Also, many graphic-based learning materials can easily be ported to a cartridge based medium.
Console manufacturers already have released development kits for their platforms that allow practically anyone with programming skills to develop educational software for the masses (look at PS2 with the Linux development kit). So getting the software shouldn't be a problem.
I remember getting my Dad to buy me my first computer on the strength of the fact that it was 'educational'.... not that I used it for educational reasons (but mind you, I did learn basic so that I could program simple games.... DOH ! I actually did learn something !), as gaming was my goal from the start.
But do we want our gaming world to be invaded by scenes of education and learning ? I mean violence in video games is one thing, but trigonometry .... no thanks !
Would the appearance of educational software on our favourite consoles take the good out of them ? Or would it bother you at all ?
Some people will of course argue that even if educational software does appear we don't need to buy it... but what if one console in particular suddenly had a whole range of educational titles available for it.... really think about that for a minute and be honest, can you really say it wouldn't turn you off a bit ? "Oh THAT console is for geeks to learn on....."
What do you think ?
wrote:
> You know..... you're right !
In fact Tomb Raider helped me to learn that diving headfirst from a cliff on to the rocks below is a sure way to get killed !
Also, Mario tought me that if I jump on someones head they'll disappear !
You see.... education on consoles is all around us !!
> You know..... you're right !
In fact Tomb Raider helped me to learn that diving headfirst from a cliff on to the rocks below is a sure way to get killed !
Also, Mario tought me that if I jump on someones head they'll disappear !
You see.... education on consoles is all around us !!
Anyway, Gran Turismo 3 was educational! I worked out how to 360 my car im the game using the force feedback steering wheel, then managed to do it perfectly in tescos car park the other day in the wifes fiesta!
Well, on the 4th attempt anyway.......
Well, on the 4th attempt anyway.......
wrote:
> Yeah, for sure compatability is a big plus for PC based learning. Good point. But for portability I still feel that a lot of people cannot get access to laptops etc. However I'm sure a simple cheap educational laptop could be developed that would appeal to the mass market.
Personally I agree that consoles would loose their cool factor fairly rapidly if educational software was introduced. Just goes to show how easily things can change in the minds of us consumers though !
> Yeah, for sure compatability is a big plus for PC based learning. Good point. But for portability I still feel that a lot of people cannot get access to laptops etc. However I'm sure a simple cheap educational laptop could be developed that would appeal to the mass market.
Personally I agree that consoles would loose their cool factor fairly rapidly if educational software was introduced. Just goes to show how easily things can change in the minds of us consumers though !
Consoles would definately lose their cool, and besides, the home PC is more than capable of catering for that market. It's more widespread than any brand of consoles and doesnt have the compatibility like the PC does.
If all schools adopted a system, it would mean that either all systems would have to be compatible with eachother (a completely seperate debate), or one brand would be singled out as the standard for education, branding it "uncool" with the kids.
When the consoles get net access, education will be possible, in the same way that PC's are at the moment for the net access. But as a teaching tool? The PC is allready there.
If all schools adopted a system, it would mean that either all systems would have to be compatible with eachother (a completely seperate debate), or one brand would be singled out as the standard for education, branding it "uncool" with the kids.
When the consoles get net access, education will be possible, in the same way that PC's are at the moment for the net access. But as a teaching tool? The PC is allready there.
Does the increase in online learning and teaching offer any possibilities for console-based education ? There seems to be no technical reason why not as long as the right software gets developed. However many gamers might react to such a development direction in a very negative manner, after all aren't consoles a way to 'escape' for a few hours. Is it possible that using consoles for education could cause them to become uncool ?
There are many obvious benefits of online learning - for example, a student can mix deadly materials/chemicals, or blow electronic circuits in a safe and virtual environment without any danger to themselves or the environment. Also the virtual materials being used are free and infinite. OK, so the student is not getting real hands-on experience, but for certain applications that is not necessarily a bad thing.
That covers online learning from a simulation based approach, but we should also acknowledge (as many do in these forums every day) that games allow the laws of physics and nature to be changed. An example of this is using a biology package to speed up the growth of a simulated plant or person, or using any of the 'I am God' type games (Black and White, Civilisation, etc.) to illustrate how a simple decision can change the way a society develops over time.
Recent articles on indicate that it should be possible to use a handheld console on school field trips (for example the game boy advance linked to a camera) in the place of more expensive laptops that not every student can afford (imagine a bunch of kids heading off to document a nature walk for example). Also, many graphic-based learning materials can easily be ported to a cartridge based medium.
Console manufacturers already have released development kits for their platforms that allow practically anyone with programming skills to develop educational software for the masses (look at PS2 with the Linux development kit). So getting the software shouldn't be a problem.
I remember getting my Dad to buy me my first computer on the strength of the fact that it was 'educational'.... not that I used it for educational reasons (but mind you, I did learn basic so that I could program simple games.... DOH ! I actually did learn something !), as gaming was my goal from the start.
But do we want our gaming world to be invaded by scenes of education and learning ? I mean violence in video games is one thing, but trigonometry .... no thanks !
Would the appearance of educational software on our favourite consoles take the good out of them ? Or would it bother you at all ?
Some people will of course argue that even if educational software does appear we don't need to buy it... but what if one console in particular suddenly had a whole range of educational titles available for it.... really think about that for a minute and be honest, can you really say it wouldn't turn you off a bit ? "Oh THAT console is for geeks to learn on....."
What do you think ?
There are many obvious benefits of online learning - for example, a student can mix deadly materials/chemicals, or blow electronic circuits in a safe and virtual environment without any danger to themselves or the environment. Also the virtual materials being used are free and infinite. OK, so the student is not getting real hands-on experience, but for certain applications that is not necessarily a bad thing.
That covers online learning from a simulation based approach, but we should also acknowledge (as many do in these forums every day) that games allow the laws of physics and nature to be changed. An example of this is using a biology package to speed up the growth of a simulated plant or person, or using any of the 'I am God' type games (Black and White, Civilisation, etc.) to illustrate how a simple decision can change the way a society develops over time.
Recent articles on indicate that it should be possible to use a handheld console on school field trips (for example the game boy advance linked to a camera) in the place of more expensive laptops that not every student can afford (imagine a bunch of kids heading off to document a nature walk for example). Also, many graphic-based learning materials can easily be ported to a cartridge based medium.
Console manufacturers already have released development kits for their platforms that allow practically anyone with programming skills to develop educational software for the masses (look at PS2 with the Linux development kit). So getting the software shouldn't be a problem.
I remember getting my Dad to buy me my first computer on the strength of the fact that it was 'educational'.... not that I used it for educational reasons (but mind you, I did learn basic so that I could program simple games.... DOH ! I actually did learn something !), as gaming was my goal from the start.
But do we want our gaming world to be invaded by scenes of education and learning ? I mean violence in video games is one thing, but trigonometry .... no thanks !
Would the appearance of educational software on our favourite consoles take the good out of them ? Or would it bother you at all ?
Some people will of course argue that even if educational software does appear we don't need to buy it... but what if one console in particular suddenly had a whole range of educational titles available for it.... really think about that for a minute and be honest, can you really say it wouldn't turn you off a bit ? "Oh THAT console is for geeks to learn on....."
What do you think ?