#readingresponse6

Mobile gaming can be a beneficial resource that supports learning. As any other tool these devices have both positive and negative effects. Today our younger generation tend to play games on their mobile devices such as cell phones, iPads, tablets and computers. On these mobile devices users are able to download a variety of game applications some of which are even free. As an educator I believe it is our responsibility to learn more about incorporating these technologies involving mobile gaming into our students learning environments. I recently read an article titled “Study: Emerging Technology Has Positive Impact in Classroom” by Ryan Lytle which stated "that educators who are against the implementation of technology in the classroom are fighting a losing battle. Students inhabit a 21st century world for 18 hours a day, And, all too often, educators put them in a 19th century classroom for six hours of that day, and the students feel a tremendous disconnect. We have a responsibility to teach them the skills to optimize these tools." This quote represents my belief exactly that our students live in a world where they are surrounded by technology. Technology gives our students unlimited resources at their finger tips. Our society has even become dependent on technology. That is why it is so important to incorporate technology into our student learning environment. If students can make a stronger connection between their learning environment and real life experiences this will make our students feel more comfortable in their learning environment and also make learning under these conditions much more appealing. 

In both articles, “Mad City Mystery” by K. Facer and “Savannah: Mobile Gaming and Learning” by M. Squire, the authors discuss the benefits of mobile gaming in a learning environment. Our student’s education can benefit from the use of these games and enable educators to create their own unique learning experience for each of their students. The article expresses how collaboration and communication can be done within the gaming experience. The experience will also provide students with opportunities to exposed to realistic ideas and thoughts through a variety of scenarios before encountering them in real life.

One interesting part of the article “Savannah: Mobile Gaming and Learning?” was, “Mobile technologies, for example, enable children to interact simultaneously with both the physical world and with digital information.” I found this quote significant because it discusses how technology and games on these mobile devices could bring two parallel worlds together. Similar to what I stated earlier about our students benefiting from bridging the gap between their learning environment and real life experiences. Learning through mobile technologies, especially through mobile gaming, makes it a totally different experience from learning outside of students traditional learning environment. One aspect of education that is hard for educators is that “game technologies have for some time struggled to be taken seriously within the educational arena.” I believe this is because if game technologies are not incorporated correctly into our classroom, they can be seen as a distraction. Which would lead to students not learning to their highest potential.