Learning Adventures

Does the paced world of video games and television parallel the pace of a teacher directed classroom environment? Is the brain changing as a result of this rapid stimulation? Papert felt that sophisticated ways of solving problems resulted from computer use yet are these sophisticated ways the catalyst for brain development? Other research has indicated that video games are mood altering but skeptics say that reactions to video games are normal aka “poor sportsmanship”. I was pulled in by the fact that The Digital Youth Project does not study the effects of video games but looks at video games from the perspective of peer relationships and the development of technical expertise. I often think of my teen brother who has no formal computer programming experience but has developed significant and impressive technical expertise due to his online relationships with peers and the fact that the computer allows him to seek his interests. Restrictions to a curriculum do not exist in these natural learning situations thus providing the optimal low anxiety learning environment. He would be placed under the interest driven genre of participation. I am quite fascinated with many things and I find these new insights on the Digital Youth very exciting! Peer based learning is obvious in our Cadre and different skills are highlighted and recognized much like in the informal environment of peer based learning. Peer based learning is optimized when there is exchange and dialogue. The Last Lecture author Randy Pausch says, “Always bring something to the table, it will make you seem more welcoming”.