The Nintendo DS

Might as well begin with the DS as i've alredy had some success with it in the classroom.

Although not necessarily a game, the DS has a couple of built in feature that can be useful in the classroom.

Firstly, PictoChat. For those unfamiliar, PictoChat is a simple messaging program that allows small amounts of words or pictures to be sent to other DS systems in the close vacinity via wireless conection. Because of the DS's touch screen interface, posting messages and pictures is as simple as using a pencil.
Why not use a pencil and paper then?
In my experience, just using a DS instead of pencil and paper is enough to keep some children amused for hours, not all, but some. I've found it partcularly useful when giving small groups of children a quiz on subject matter, as I can post a question on my DS and the children are challenged to post the correct answer as quickly as they can on theirs.
I saw something similar recently on teachers TV where they were using PictoChat in a similar way, specifically on the topic of mathematical angles.

The other feature is that of Download Play, an option to link up with other DS consoles to partake in the same game. Often this only requires one person having a copy of the game in order for the others to join in.
This is fantastic for children who have the console but not a game. In a classroom context only one copy would be needed for many children to participate, which is great for the classroom budget!

Handheld consoles have always been a child dominated market, the DS being no exception. If a school was to order in some of these consoles, I would suggest only buying a handful of units. As much as it can be used to enhance learning and interaction, its just not practical to have an entire class worth of DS'. Small groups are the best way to utilise this console.

I may also add that a third version of this console will be available in the not too distant future called the DSi. This new version will have ceertain upgraded features, like built in cameras, but im not going to go into details too much here.

Okiedokie!

The Plan

So after careful consideration i've decided to base my posts on something I know more about than anything else. This would be the realm of video games.
'Edutainment' has always been a tricky area of gaming, trying to combine the world of learning with electronic 'fun' based programs has, in my experience, never quite taken off as it has done in recent years.
In my opinion this is largely because of the efforts of Nintendo to create the new gaming market of 'casual gamer' - people who would not normally like games, getting into them.

As much as this has been a double edged sword to those who enjoy these video games (increased revenue for the company to make more games, but less drive to make 'hardcore' traditional games) one cannot ignore the practical use of video games in the classroom.

A medium that has always been critisized for 'rotting children's minds' has now become a valuable learning aid. Hey, it worked for television, it was only a matter of time before gaming took it's place in the classroom.

So heres the plan. As I have a rather large gaming repetoir, many of which have educational value, i've decided to review these games based on their usefulness as an educational tool. This doesn't just mean the mentally stimulating ones, I plan on checking out some more active ones too.


Lets-a-go!

The beginning...

I plan (emphasis on 'plan') to give exciting, interesting and genuinely mind blowing information over the course of this blog. I've got some ideas, you've probably got better ones so let me know by commenting. In fact, comment about anything entirely (Its all website hits at the end of the day!)

All else fails, i'll press the skynet 'execute' button.