I was sad that I had to miss the gaming presentation in class although I have done a fair amount of reading on the topic for a term paper and presentation for another class, plus an ongoing interest. Gaming is such a great way to get kids into libraries and have untapped potential for learning experiences both academic and social. I have only recently gotten into video games myself, because I wasn't allowed to have them as a child, but I have been amazed at their variety and depth. A lot of the multi-player games require a ton of communication and teamwork and the solitary games often have a lot of plot which comes with a requisite amount of reading. I know that there is a growing number of educational games that simulate history or modern political structures or just help with basic math skills. They are getting better at masking the educational value to the kids by making them fun and beautiful to look at. Despite the growing prevalence of these kinds of games, anything that kids want to play can be harnessed into an opportunity for them to have a program in the library that has them interacting, with staff and peers and thereby contributing to the growth of their social community.
In my paper on the topic for another class, I was able to explore the potential for intergenerational programming with gaming. A great example was a program involving teens and senior citizens. The librarians held tryouts to find teens who were good at gaming and patient with the librarians that they would teach the games to. Once chosen, they would be teamed with a senior partner that they would train in the skill set of the game. Once training was finished there would be a tournament that would give the seniors a chance to show off some new skills and teens a chance to take pride in their students' achievements and the relationships they formed with their senior partners. This is a great way for seniors to see youth in the library in a different way and builds community in a way that is lasting and meaningful.
Go gaming!
PS - I love rock band!
Ricca,
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems these days there is a game for everyone, and the stereotypical "gamer" no longer exists. Apparently, as was pointed out to me at a party, if you play Tetris on your phone, you're a gamer! I have to admit, I was never into video games as a child, and while I have played some games on my phone or on FB, I always feel like I should really be reading:) That doesn't mean I don't see their huge potential for creating community in the public library, especially using the examples you cited. As libraries continue to redefine themselves, they must see themselves more as community centers and less as book storehouses, and game programs are certainly a great way to bring members of the community together.
Great examples, and as I also missed last week's class, I appreciated your thoughtful connections! See you in class on Monday.