Novo: Gaming gaming gaming

Novo

Friday, August 10, 2007

Gaming gaming gaming

Context: School has come to agreement with Parents Support Group to ban ALL use of computers (at home and in school) for any gaming purpose. A new software called HateFun recognises gaming software in any computer and deletes them once activated. HateFun is parent password protected. And encrypted.

Good Morning Principal and fellow Teachers,

I am sure you are well aware of the recent spate of reports on various cases of 'gaming addiction' amongst our students (TScore >245). I have heard, from various teachers, the myraid of opinions on this issue, and it is with utmost trepidation that I share mine with you. This trepidation comes from the fact that I was an addicted gamer myself with I was a teenager.

Yes. Even teachers are human. Can we dare say that we teachers have, in the past (or even at present), never ever frolicked in the pastures of frivolous activities? Whiled away the precious time of our youth with adolescent pursuits? Or invested our energies in tasks of lesser nobility?

What more our students (TScore >245).

I believe that the majority of our students (TScore >245) are NOT computer addicts. They are, like we were, struggling between the pressures of the perceived mundanity of school work and the siren call of the visually stunning Halo 3. This perception of work being dull is the very issue that we, as teachers, must address.

I am not suggesting that we make school work all fun and games. Neither am I saying that examination content be brushed aside for superficial but engaging lessons. What I would like to suggest is - to make our lessons relevant. Gaming is relevant to our students' lives because it is the antithesis of boring and dull WORK. If work ceases to be so, then the impetuous for gaming may actually cease.

No. This is not to say that I condone the actions of students such as YongQiarng of 3D, who spends 8 hours a day in front of the computer, and as a result is a complete detriment to the school and his class. Computer gaming addiction in its extreme can be severely damaging. It is my firm believe that the recent drastic measures that curtails all gaming for our students is an overeaction. I think it will be much more prudent for us to manage the few true addicts we have through counselling and guidance.

Thank you.

posted by Ben Tan @ 2:36 PM

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