The specific purpose of this post–perhaps I should have begun with the thesis–is to say something about both games and schools. In addition, I’d like to express a general message about the way we transmit values to the next generation. Are we doing it with intention? Do we take the time to think about the stories our educational structures relay to our children? What behaviors do we celebrate? What procedural actions do we reward? Do we behave the way we say we want our children to behave? The data seems to say: NO.
I challenge game designers to rethink the mechanics, not just the stories. Even most of the social impact games that I see simply transplant narrative rhetoric atop familiar styles of gameplay. The same goes for schools; understand that the organizational structure is indistinct from the students’ learning outcomes.
And let’s get rid of this silly distinction between learning games and commercial games, between entertainment and education. Kids (and adults) are ALWAYS learning something. Remember that, intentional or not, you’re accountable for the lessons you teach the next generation. ( Via: Jordan Shapiro in FORBES, “The Hidden Moral Messages In Video Games”)