In response to question 2, this is one thing I really disagree with pink about! I do not feel that video games are important for developing skills like problem solving and visual perception. I think that video games cause a lot more harm than good in a child and the "good old days" when children spent most of their time making up games and figuring out puzzles, they were able to problem solve and be a lot more creative.
In response to question 7 about Men, Women and Empathy, I think that the classroom is a place where this is easily seen. Although it is politically incorrect to say that women are more empathetic, I have noticed that truly my female students tend to empathize with emotions in the classroom much more. Also, I have taught 2 classes that were single gender and I noticed a big difference in the dynamics of the classroom. The all boys classroom was a lot harder behavior wise and when I would try to talk with them about behavior, punishment, etc, it was a lot harder for them to empathize with my dilemma/frustration. The class seemed to never quite understand the concept I was trying to convey or make any efforts to change.
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Ashley: I agree with you wholeheartedly about the negative impact of video games. I was so glad to see your post because when I read the comments in chapter 8 attributed to James Paul Gee, I just couldn't believe it! The one that struck me the most negatively was on page 193: "The fact is when kids play video games they can experience a much more powerful form of learning than when they're in the classroom" WHAT??? There is something wrong with "the classroom" to which the comparison was made! Just from personal experience I will say that I abhor the "screen stare" I see kids get when they tune out the world and all the people in it in favor of their video games. Children need to be engaged in cooperative play with other children and meaningful experiences guided by adults to learn what they need to know about this world. Real experiences just cannot be replaced with all the electronic gadgets in the world. And how can kids learn one of the most important (if not THE most important) skill(s) we develop as humans-EMPATHY-if they are staring at a screen all day? We all have known people who know they have reached the end of their life, and what do they share as their regrets, missed opporunities, etc.....Is it about any of the STUFF they failed to acquire during their lifetime? NO. Do they say they wished they had spent more time watching TV or playing video games? NO. The regrets expressed are always about other people--relationships they wish they had cultivated, people they wish they had kept in touch with, etc....They want time back so that they can connect with other people! The development of empathy allows us to build and deepen relationships in our lives; without empathy we cannot possibly learn to love as deeply or as meaningfully. Boys and girls definitely develop differently in this regard, as Ashley pointed out. Perhaps it is an aspect of maturity, but also it says something about the difference in the male and female brain!
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