Discussion Questions: Learning in Virtual Worlds

In What Games Teach, James Paul Gee believes that videogames need to be considered for something beyond their traditional use as a means for providing entertainment and pleasure during leisure time. After watching the video, discuss whether or not you agree with the following statements:

• There's no real difference between reading and playing video games. They are both diversions that take you out of the real world.
• People learn important collaborative skills when playing online games.
• People who use video games are gaining skills that make them more effective in the real world.
• Even if academic experts think video games are useful, addiction to video games is a real problem.
• Collaborative work is not genuinely valued in schools because tests are all about individual performance.
• When people play videogames, they gain insight and learn about themselves.