From: Jess Thyne
Submit: Post Message
Date: 20 Nov 1996
Time: 16:18:13
I have seen in many field notes that when a kid is not in control of the mouse, then they have stoped learning. I think that much learning comes from watching games being played by other kids and students. In my experiences with games, and I have had much, most learning and motivation comes from watching someone play a game, and then finally getting to play yourself.
For example, most of my friends, me included got their first Nintendo because of hours of having to watch their friends play with theirs, and only getting to play when those friends were finally done or bored. Also, I have played many games with my friends where the better one "plays", and the others have to just watch and try to help with suggestions. This can be unfair at times, but it is a valid learning environment.
What I'm getting at here is that I think that we should let the kids watch us play some of these games sometimes, both to "show" them how to play, show them that there the game can be beaten (or at least played well), and to make them feel that they have something invested in the game, ie time spent waiting to finally play. Also, we sould allow not be too quick to ask the kids to work mutually, or "take turns", they can figure that out for themselves.