soulxtc
February 13th, 2006, 08:04 AM
How teachers are using computer games to pique the interest of tech-savvy kids
Joseph Durant, a 10th-grader in Washington, D.C., has new respect for what it takes to be the President. Schoolmate Ciara Belle calls herself Cleopatra and feels comfortable talking about ancient Egyptian civilization. Miles away, in Charleston, W. Va., Catherine Carte suddenly believes gym class may be the best period of her school day.
The one thing they have in common? Computer games are behind their new attitudes. They're all studying at schools that let students use games in the classroom to become virtual Cleopatras, Bushes, or Baryshnikovs. And for these students, learning has never been so engaging. Gym was "horrible, absolutely horrible," says Carte, who now supplements traditional physical exercise by working up a sweat moving to a game called Dance Dance Revolution. "I was like, 'O.K., I'll see what it's about before I start hating it.' But I really liked it."
These days, computer games are usually pilloried for excessive violence and sex. Yet teachers across the country are bringing certain games into their schools as a way to pique students' interest in everything from history and politics to physical fitness and music theory. Among the most popular are Firaxis Games Inc.'s Civilization games, Take2's Railroad Tycoon, and Carte's new favorite, Dance Dance Revolution from Konami Corp. (KNM ). "We have to embrace the technology, because that's the future," says Tim Meegan, a Chicago history teacher who uses Civilization. "You have to either get on board or get out of the way."
READ ARTICLE (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_08/b3972100.htm?chan=tc)
Joseph Durant, a 10th-grader in Washington, D.C., has new respect for what it takes to be the President. Schoolmate Ciara Belle calls herself Cleopatra and feels comfortable talking about ancient Egyptian civilization. Miles away, in Charleston, W. Va., Catherine Carte suddenly believes gym class may be the best period of her school day.
The one thing they have in common? Computer games are behind their new attitudes. They're all studying at schools that let students use games in the classroom to become virtual Cleopatras, Bushes, or Baryshnikovs. And for these students, learning has never been so engaging. Gym was "horrible, absolutely horrible," says Carte, who now supplements traditional physical exercise by working up a sweat moving to a game called Dance Dance Revolution. "I was like, 'O.K., I'll see what it's about before I start hating it.' But I really liked it."
These days, computer games are usually pilloried for excessive violence and sex. Yet teachers across the country are bringing certain games into their schools as a way to pique students' interest in everything from history and politics to physical fitness and music theory. Among the most popular are Firaxis Games Inc.'s Civilization games, Take2's Railroad Tycoon, and Carte's new favorite, Dance Dance Revolution from Konami Corp. (KNM ). "We have to embrace the technology, because that's the future," says Tim Meegan, a Chicago history teacher who uses Civilization. "You have to either get on board or get out of the way."
READ ARTICLE (http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_08/b3972100.htm?chan=tc)