Presentation Responses 2

Katie S.:

I agree with your point that public libraries are underrated, it would be good to encourage students to go and use them more, as it's the cheapest way for them to access the Internet because they don't have to buy their own computer. If you have a chart showing computer usage before and after the training and schooling it would help hit home to those you are proposing to that the program is working and that they should continue it. You might also want to look into how computers and games will enhance learning over conventional non-digital teaching methods.

Beau:

I think your main argument should definitely be how playing games prepares us for future technologies, as you have some very good examples to back it up. Like Julie said, the point about technology feeding off the gaming community is a very good thesis option to focus your paper on.

James:

You might want to focus as well on how the attitude towards teaching with and learning from games changes as the gamers of today become the parents of tomorrow's students. Our generation looks at games in a much more positive light because we grew up playing them, as opposed to our parents who don't see the benefit of today's games.

Hans:

You could try focusing more on the interaction between virtual and physical spaces that we meet in rather than the digital divide. You had a lot of information that showed how we commute to social networking sites to talk to our friends more than physical places to talk with them. If you do this then you won't have to worry about the access issue of the digital divide that Julie mentioned was a problem. If you want to continue to focus on the digital divide then you'll have to address the issue like she said.

Spencer:

A very good example that I was going to mention that James also alluded to was talking about the game America's Army. It's the game the U.S. Army made to try to emphasize realism and combat tactics in an effort to educate gamers towards military combat. When it was originally made there were a lot of games which were very unrealistic so the Army wanted to put out a game more true to real life and maybe bring in some new recruits at the same time. They even released it for free download so that they could get a lot of people to play it. You could use this as a great example of how even trying to make a realistic game doesn't prepare someone for the reality of combat, even if it is made by the Army.