Pillars of the Gaming Dad

As a teacher, I naturally want my kids to learn while playing games. I feel like half of my historic knowledge comes from watching my dad play Civilization. I even remember learning to type while playing EverQuest. Now that I think of it, my father used to play Super Action Football for the Super Nintendo long ago that helped me understand how the game was played. I even learned useful information about my favorite sport by playing NHL94.

There is definite potential for learning by playing. Many educational tools have a game component to them. My students go wild over a game called Kahoot and they refuse to complete a Quizlet Study Set without competing in the Match game. While a lot of learning happens in the background, there is room for asking questions and active learning.

So I’ve adapted a set of critical thinking questions and activities for my kids to do when we are done playing with a game. My goals are to stimulate interest, empathy, understanding of  characters; detect plot, themes, and literary elements; and devices and effects designed by the creators. 

Here are some examples that I ask at the beginning, middle, and end.

Beginning Questions:

1. Based on the artwork, what do you think this game is about?
2. Who do you think are the main characters in this game?
3. What do you think will happen in this game’s story?

Middle Questions:

1. What do you like best and least so far?
2. Is there something you do not understand?
3. If you could ask anyone in the game a question, what would you ask and why?

Ending Questions:

1. What problems did we experience in the game?
2. Which characters do you like the most and the least?
3. Why was the game designed the way it was?

Around my sixth post, I will begin asking more stimulating questions to see how my kids are reacting to the games. So far, the games have been entertainment based and difficult to hold my kids attention. Something that I have already received criticism about is staring at screens for too long. I am a serious proponent of resting the eyes and removing technology for healthy durations.

Unfortunately, I do not know what research exists other than superficial data and articles condemning use of over 2 hours and blue lights causing eye damage. I share this concern as a teacher by avoiding as often as I can the use of Chromebooks and phones. As a concerned parent, I am doing my due diligence to turn devices onto Night Mode or Red Shift Mode to keep eyes from straining too much. 

Without searching too deeply, I avoid shoving a small screen into my kid’s hands to keep them from bending their necks and straining to look. We have all had those moments of judgement when we see a parent give a phone or device to a child. I feel it myself even though I am guilty of the same thing.

We live in an age that requires technological knowledge for successful lives. We also need our critical thinking skills to help us sift through vast amounts of content to get to the core of issues. By using games, our young developing children will remember the emotional moments far more than activities that are repetitive and unengaging.

I want happy memories with my kids. I want them to think critically and learn from our fun experiences. Doing this all while entertaining myself is something that I hope others are trying. I want to remove the stigma of playing video games with young and learning kids. My gaming family is going to learn a lot and do our part in destroying negative stigmas about video games melting our brains.

Note: You will catch more of these pillars as time goes on. I will make sure to revisits these pillars throughout my time gaming with my kiddos.