13. More video games, fewer books at school?

Reuters
“More video games, fewer books at school?”
http://www.uk.reuters.com/articl/technologyNews/idUKN1642567920070316

Educators are looking toward improving failing schools by simulating real-life problems through the use of video games. I feel that schools in the past have succeeded without the use of video games so they should look for a different strategy to improve student learning. One quote in the article stated, “If we don’t make changes in the way we educate, students will be left behind in the real world.” I agree that times are changing but it does not mean that everything we do should be altered. I completely disagree that games inspire students to turn to books based on what I know about student engagement. According to Freedman, “enthrallment” is the engagement in continuous action. When students spend a vast majority of their time being stimulated through the use of technology, books, newspapers, and even real-life experiences will fall short of rousing or motivating them. I agree that video games help with spatial concepts and allow students to venture the unknown without the threat of being scared, but these aspects of video games can be reached through real-life experiences. As a future teacher, I would prefer to keep video games out of the classroom and in the home.