Do you know what Minecraft is? In the article, In Hit Games, Tech Giants See More Than Fun", by Nick Wingfield in the New York Times dated Sept 11, 2014, Microsoft is trying to buy it for over $2 billion. I like this quote, 'Parents like Minecraft because it can be a creative outlet for their children. Teachers like the game because it can bring lessons to life".
Minecraft was created in Sweden and is one of the top paid apps on the iPhone. There have been almost 54 million copies sold. Minecraft is a computer game where you build things with 'Lego' blocks. "Minecraft soaks up lots of time, as players can spend months building estates and entire countries,.."
Joel Levin a teachers liked it so much he uses as a teaching tool in his second grade technology class. He has set up a company to see 'custom-made versions of Minecraft to classrooms for educational purposes.
This game purpose is creation versus other games of destruction. I have even signed up for a class on Minecraft so I can help students read. I want them to build something based on a story that they write. Of course it would involve writing a script. The characters would have to be developed...
But again there is a trade off. Is this technology really any better that many sets of legos in the basement where you and your child can build together? Things to think about.
By the way, check out you tube and enter, "Minecraft" There are many videos to watch, I don't even know what are good ones. But my students know.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Are you a Low-Tech Parent?
When my boys were small our TV broke and we did not replace it. I don't remember missing it either. We had just moved from Burlington, VT to San Jose, CA. My boys were too busy playing outside, swimming at the neighborhood pool, or playing street hockey.
But my in-laws came to visit and could not believe we did not have a TV. So they bought us one. Well, one thing led to another and we had a Nintendo game player. Then a play station or what ever was popular. I was having war about homework versus on the 'TV'. So I packed up the Nintendo and play station and put them in the attic. They were allowed out during summer vacation and if I felt like it at Christmas break and spring break. And I thought this was hard.
Today, parents have to monitor use of ipads, ipods, mobile phones, computers, tv's, ... So I was reading the New York Times and found an article, "Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent" written by Nick Biltonn. I love the quote, '"So, your kids must love the iPad?" I asked Mr. Steve Jobs.. "They haven't used it, he toldme. "we limit how much technology our kids use at home."'
Wow, many CTO, venture capitalists, techies say, "they strictly limit their children's screen time, often banning all gadgets on school nights,.."
So I am just wondering what kind of technology rules you have it your house. Is technology helping or hurting your child's completion of homework?
But my in-laws came to visit and could not believe we did not have a TV. So they bought us one. Well, one thing led to another and we had a Nintendo game player. Then a play station or what ever was popular. I was having war about homework versus on the 'TV'. So I packed up the Nintendo and play station and put them in the attic. They were allowed out during summer vacation and if I felt like it at Christmas break and spring break. And I thought this was hard.
Today, parents have to monitor use of ipads, ipods, mobile phones, computers, tv's, ... So I was reading the New York Times and found an article, "Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent" written by Nick Biltonn. I love the quote, '"So, your kids must love the iPad?" I asked Mr. Steve Jobs.. "They haven't used it, he toldme. "we limit how much technology our kids use at home."'
Wow, many CTO, venture capitalists, techies say, "they strictly limit their children's screen time, often banning all gadgets on school nights,.."
So I am just wondering what kind of technology rules you have it your house. Is technology helping or hurting your child's completion of homework?
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