Blog 2 and 3

Gee: " During the eary episodes, you gain a wide variety of such situated information from these kiosks, though you can pass them by if you feel you don't need any more information and know how to use the basic controls of the game."(136)

Schirripa: This is seen a lot in the school setting. Teachers often give additional information or avenues to help the student better understand the material, but many times students do not want to spend the extra time out of their schedule to do so. The way a player wants to rush into the next room or level becuase they feel that "know" what they are doing is the same way a student wants to rush off to their next activity without thinking they may need to know this later on.

When Gee talks about "garden paths" and fruitful patterns I wish he would have given specific examples. He seems to come down very hard on schools and teachers for these "garden paths" which makes me look at my own activities and the way to approach it. A specific example would give me a better understanding of what he was really talking about.

Gee: "But basic skills can be learned by playing the game- and not through decontextualized skill-and-drill - because the games are well designed in the ways in which they construct their training modules and early episodes..."

Schirripa: This to me is the key to learning. When reading this passage I immediately thought of learning in context as opposed to isolated facts. When a student learns in context they are able to see connections immediately.

Gee: " In fact, it is a crucial learning principle that people learn best when they have an opportunity to talk (and write) about what they are learning."

Schirripa: When a person is enjoying what they are doing they want to learn more and tell more people about it.

Reflection on Gee: The principles he included in each chapter were crucial for me to make a full connection between video games and learning. It did expose me to many games I have never heard of and realize their learning potential.