A Current Affair - Video Gaming Revolution
On June 16, 2010, Channel 9's A Current Affair program, reported about a revolution in video gaming - The Xbox 360 Kinect, at the biggest gaming launch of the year. This device has the potential to change the way video games are played forever. Maybe even give educators more opportunity to integrate video games into the curriculum.
Students will be able to experience controller free gaming, which may later be supported by PC's via Windows 8, at which point, the potential in the classroom could be endless. After having experienced this new technology, Steven Seagal (on the Xbox website), was quoted as saying "For children, it is amazing. They get to be really involved. It teaches them how to react, think and move. This is only the beginning."
Onlookers at the launch were stimulated, mentally challenged and became immersed in a variety of games that were easy to use and instantly fun. Imagine what it could be like for students (and teachers) within the classroom. The games to be released include, Kinectimals, Dancing, Sports, Your Shape Fitness Evolved and Kinect Adventures. They all have the potential to support learning in the classroom in a variety of ways. According to James Gee, there are many learning principles that are built into good video games. He believes that when children interact with video games, they are learning and learning in deep ways.
Kinect also has the potential to support those students who are unwilling to speak, as it has been programmed with voice recognition. Students can talk to the box and it understands. The launch, in Australia, of the Xbox 360 Kinect is on November 18. It will cost around $200 and can be attached to either your old or your new Xbox. For those teachers out there who lack confidence in using video games, this technology has the potential to bridge the gap between gamers and those who don't know anything about gaming.
Will it be able to compete with the Nintendo Wii?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Change the World
1 comments:
Wow...imagine the possibilities! I remember when I first heard about this new revolution in gaming and being amazed at the new technology. When the Wii first came out it was something totally different. The ability to actually use the controllers in a real like manner such as swinging a tennis racquet was radical and changed the way video games appeared. It enabled participation from the whole family, with even mum and dad keen to join in. The introduction of the Wii changed a lot of people's perceptions towards gaming as they now saw physical benefits to playing. Gone were the views of sitting hunched in a chair by the PC.
The XBox 360 Kinect looks set to change those perceptions even more with the ability for the console to pick up your body movements and translate those onto the screen. This new technology can have real benefits in the classroom. It allows students to interact with each other, not just in person, but also online. It allows them to determine how to use their movement in such a way to make things work on the screen, like driving a car. It allows them to use new thinking skills and abilities.
This is really an amazing new development in technology and broadens the options of what teachers can do in the classroom. Who knows where to from here?? Jo
Post a Comment