Books Versus Video Games

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Commons Retrieved 19 October 2011 from
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The world it seems is quite divided when it comes to the use and educational benefit of video games for children of today.  Yet the same scepticism does not appear to surround the use of books.  In fact I think there would be an uprising if education systems worldwide decided to discontinue the use of books to educate students. So, why does there seem to be so much controversy over the introduction of video games as an educational tool into modern classrooms?

10 Truths About Books and What They Have to do with Video Games, a post on James Paul Gee’s blog, makes some interesting comparisons between these two highly powerful tools of education.  Gee (2011) explains that books have the ability to promote peace if read and nurtured in the correct environment however books can also have the complete opposite effect and promote aggression and violence, such as has occurred with some extremist religious groups.  Aggression and violence is a common reason people use when advocating against the use of video gaming in educational settings, however as Gee (2011) points out video games to date do not yield the same amount of power that books can. This viewpoint makes one really begin to question the emphasis that we as educators place upon books as a tool for learning.

Are books positive learning experiences for all students?  Are books the best way for students to learn?  Are books the way of the future? Or will gaming and technology reign supreme?

This post makes for an interesting read because it points out that books have their good and bad points just like every other educational tool.  As Gee (2011) explains, on their own books will not make for a more educated person.  So if books are just one method of educating why not begin to explore other options: options that have cultural significance to students of today; options that offer technology devices from which students can create meaning.  Gee (2010) is not advocating for the use of books to disappear from classrooms, he is simple pointing out that video games can operate effectively in the classroom alongside books as both are “suited for certain jobs and best used in certain ways” (par.1).   

References:

Gee, J. (2011, May 15). 10 Truths About Books and What They Have to do With Video Games (Web log post).  Retrieved from http://www.jamespaulgee.com/node/52

Video games - image from Creative
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