Video Games and Mythology

In response to Sarah’s inquiry as how one would use video games in the classroom, my project focus has changed (again). In attempt to provide answers to your question, I will focus on applying three or four video games in the classroom. Due to the technological restrictions (not everyone has a video game console, although many do), I see the use of video games in the classroom as just one of many options for a culminating project or essay. I think video games can be analyzed on their own, but in these examples I will primarily apply them for comparison to literature or film within specific genres. The first game I will talk can be used in a unit on mythology.

Okami is a video game for the PS2 (PlayStation 2). The game is set in a fictional world occupied by characters representative of Japanese mythology. In the game, you are the wolf deity Amaterasu in the processes of regaining all your powers in order to stop the ancient eight-headed dragon, Orochi. Within the story, many Japanese legends, fables, and traditions are referenced. For example, the eight canine warriors that Amaterasu finds represent the eight virtues of Confucianism. The instruction manual for Okami contains a brief explanation of these references. Students can compare/contrast Amaterasu with wolves in Norse or Native American mythology.

Another form of comparison is through medium. Using a canonized text such as Homer’s Iliad, students can analyze the elements of each story in order to show that one text is more effective in telling a story than the other in terms of setting, narrative, characters, or plot. Narration is particularly interesting because of the stark contrast between literature and video game format. Typically, a video game has two forms of narrative: the preset story shown through cut scenes and the action of the player. How does this form of narrative affect the player/reader? This question leads to a discussion of the framework of the game (i.e. what makes a game enjoyable to play). Although narration is very different in these mediums, an accomplished work in both is characterized by the desire/compulsion to continue to play/read. Of course the more one plays or reads the more sophisticated one’s appreciation becomes.

By the way, since many students will be very excited about using video games for their project, class time should be set aside to show students exactly what they are responsible for. Hopefully this will discourage students who think that a project using a video game will be easier.

Citation of a video game is similar to film except that video games also have instruction booklets that are cited like literature (or the most applicable MLA format). In terms of which video games are appropriate for students: rather than assign video games that students can use, students choose the video games and I approve or disapprove their topic ideas. Some of these games may be rated M for mature, but as long as nothing vulgar is shown in class I see no problem with it. Students already read about sex and violence in the classics.

Complaints or comments?

RPGs

I love video games but a lack of broad band connection and an almost non-existent interest in Dungeons and Dragons-type games has limited my appreciation for RPGs (Role Playing Games). To remedy this, to expand my knowledge, to connect with one more student faction, and to have a 506 project, I intend to participate in two online RPGs. One is a Star Wars MUD and the other is RUNESCAPE. Both allow the player to write to other players during the game. The MUD seems to be like a choose-your-own-story book, but with other players interacting with you (weird, and exciting). RUNESCAPE, has numerous worlds with preset stories. Both are free and easy to sign on too. I know very little about these games at this point other than they are very popular. If anyone has tips for beginners (especially for the MUD), I would greatly appreciate them. If you don't have tips, you can still make comments.

What Does Reading Look Like, Anyway?

In “What Does Reading Look Like, Anyway?”, Kajder addresses the importance of including students in what she calls the “literacy club” by acknowledging literacy outside the traditional. She raises an interesting point: students do not believe untraditional literacy counts. I have observed this through the comments on my psmonline post. Does this mean that video games, graphic novels, film, photography, and other internet-related literacy are not as important as traditional literacy? Or, have students been incorrectly convinced, by teachers and parents who were taught traditional literacy, that traditional literacy is the only literacy worth teaching? Kajder’s definition of literacy is right on: “literacy is using the most powerful cultural tools to communicate our understandings.” Her definition does not exclude traditional literacy; in fact, it still makes traditional reading and writing the most powerful cultural tool. However, it is no longer the only powerful cultural tool for communicating. Untraditional literacy is being developed outside of school. Teacher’s need to get students to see that what they are doing with untraditional literacy (analyzing) is what teachers want them to do with in-school literacy. Providing a place for both untraditional and traditional literacy can help students to become confidant, interested, and successful in the most powerful literacy, reading and writing.

Undercover Literacy

This was posted on my psmonline post (found in a previous blog of mine.) This is what the user freespace21 said: "we started a club. we played Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition. one of the new teachers last year had started it. we played after school every wednesday. it was extremely fun, the teacher actually played with us. he was really good, too. (headshots galore) unfortunately, there was a combination of two things that brought it to an end. the admin at school disliked it because it was violent. they just needed a reason to come down on us. their wish was granted when there were reports of people playing during school in one of the classes. they outlawed it and we were no longer allowed to play. it only takes one person to screw everybody else. there was an underground movement that started towards the end of the year though. several of us met in a different class room. somehow someone transfered the game to a drive that isn't checked out by the security program. with it there, we could play with each other. fragfests insued."

Students will play video games whether the administration allows it our not.

Video Games as Texts and Art

All video games that can function as textbooks (that I know of) fall into the simulation genre, as opposed to the games I discuss as art, which are within the adventure and RPG genres. There are flight simulators, sports game simulators, life simulators (The Sims Series), and history simulators (SimCity, SimEarth). Sid Meier’s Civilization Series is the best history simulation I can think of. Oregon Trail also falls into the category of history simulation. Check out Kurt Squire’s article, “Cultural Framing of Computer/Video Games”which addresses the push for educational gaming.

Aside from background knowledge, what is the point of using text books in high school English? Do we need the big Prentice Hall books or the vocabulary workbooks? I’m not sure if the video game format of these textbooks could prove to be more engaging or meaningful to the individual grammatical needs of students. However, maybe a video game based on Professor Masselink's grammar lessons would work? Root Words?

Incidentally, there’s a new game by Rockstar (the makers of the Grand Theft Auto Series) called Bully. Initially, I thought it was about a kid who goes around bullying others, but it’s actually about a kid who deals with getting bullied at a prep school. There are even classroom mini-games, which include a grammar test. At the very least, I’m interested in seeing how the most popular video game developer, Rockstar, portrays schoolwork.

As I have said before, my interest in video games pertains almost exclusively to “non academic” video games played at home on the computer or video game console. If I am to use video games in the classroom, I intend to use games that students are willing to play outside of the classroom.

PSMonline forum

As a subscriber to PSM magazine (PlayStation Magazine), I have the recently posted a topic and some comments on their online forum www.psmonline.com The focus of my first topic was to get others subscribers to comment on video games in English class. As of this post, 34 users have viewed my topic and two have commented. Here's a link to my post video games in the classroom

Would Socrates Play Video Games?

Would Socrates play Video Games?

Will video games someday replace books in classrooms?

Marco Visscher seems to think so in his article Reading, Writing and Video Gaming

I agree with Visscher that video games can inspire creative problem solving. The trial and error exploration found in gaming can help develop sound research skills. Yet these skills are neatly contained within the game’s framework. Interpreting that framework is what I find most promising for education.

I’m very skeptical about using “educational” games in an ELA classroom. For example, F. Scott Fitzgerald or Nathanial Hawthorne didn’t write their novels for the English classroom. Why should video game developers have to? A sense of artistic expression is lost when a text is specifically designed for the classroom. My future job as an English teacher is to get students to read and write critically about texts that are important to them and/or to our society. If a game is designed to be educational and is used primarily in a classroom setting, who will it be important too in the real world?

Visscher also addresses the standard arguments against gaming: they promote anti-social behavior, violent behavior, and are easy. There are now many articles that have shown these complaints to be groundless. Yet I commonly hear these unjustified accusations. First, reading a book is just as anti-social as playing video games. Second, no conclusive evidence has connected video game violence with real violence, and not all games are violent or sexually explicit. Finally, kids do not play video games because they are easy. More likely it is because good video games are challenging and meaningful. A good video game design uses an appropriate learning curve (i.e. the player is initially required to learn the game’s frame-work then apply it to more and more complex objectives). Just as English teachers traditionally critique the structure/organization of a novel, a video game’s frame-work can be critiqued. Visscher is right, video games need to be evaluated. Like attending a class discussion or a book club, evaluating a text with others improves analytic skills.

Matt