Jane McGonigal, in Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World, argues that applying game theory to education and life will encourage innovation, increase our creativity and make our work more productive.
Her research and ideas are incredibly interesting. First, the thought of applying game theory to life (and for us, education) is a marvel concept. As a basketball coach, it's the difference between practice and games. A player might learn skills or techniques during practice, but you really don't learn how to PLAY until you play the game. A student can learn a formula, but unless he or she can apply it, building a house for instance, does the formula have worth?
Second, games, contests, competitions are inherently engaging, first-hand experiences.
Third, I think competition in doses is extremely healthy, regardless of whether it is against a computer, another person or another team. Games encourage "hopeful" competition or Urgent Optimism.
Let me know what you think.
McGonigal describes four things that gamers are good at:
- Urgent optimism--the belief that tackling problems immediately will pay off in the end...the idea of the "Epic" win.
- Gamers can build a tight social fabric in a short period of time. Collaboration and trust are required to play games (of any sort).
- Blissful productivity--Gamers play games, and play them for so many hours, because they are optimized as a human being. Their productivity is increased to its maximum potential and they are happy working hard.
- Gamers are also believe in Epic Meaning--a belief that their activities mean something great and relevant.
Her research and ideas are incredibly interesting. First, the thought of applying game theory to life (and for us, education) is a marvel concept. As a basketball coach, it's the difference between practice and games. A player might learn skills or techniques during practice, but you really don't learn how to PLAY until you play the game. A student can learn a formula, but unless he or she can apply it, building a house for instance, does the formula have worth?
Second, games, contests, competitions are inherently engaging, first-hand experiences.
Third, I think competition in doses is extremely healthy, regardless of whether it is against a computer, another person or another team. Games encourage "hopeful" competition or Urgent Optimism.
Let me know what you think.
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