Neopets

While reading Kurt Squire’s “From Content to Context,” I couldn’t help but be reminded of a website I used to frequent when I was younger that was called Neopets.  Though technically not a video game in the typical sense of the word, Neopets is an online community where people can interact on message boards, raise virtual pets, go on quests, play games, and do much more.  I personally believe I learned a lot from playing Neopets; however, I cannot fully agree with Squire and modern educators on their opinion that most online multi-player games and their interactive aspects can be used as educational aides in achieving literary academic success.

Steinkuehler and Chmiel are cited as stating that “mentoring, writing FAQs, participating in message boards, developing fictional back-stories…” are similar to practices valued in school and could be used as activities to help learners in school.  I must disagree with this opinion.  Though kids and teens who are already literate and who already possess satisfactory use of language may progress their writing skills through creating backstories and writing on boards, kids with a poor grasp of grammar and mechanics will not progress their skills.  I have seen the message boards first-hand, and it is not a pretty sight.  Most kids do not care about using proper grammar, spelling, or mechanics.  They spell words in the stupidest ways, sometimes using alternating lowercase and uppercase letters which are unappealing to the eyes.  When older kids try to correct the younger kids’ grammar, the younger kids always respond in a snarky manner and say they do not care about spelling and the like.  This indifference towards learning perhaps shows us that children are not ready to use multiplayer games as a teaching aide.

           Though I do see the educational purposes of these games, I think the games should not be implemented as a learning tool until children mature to a point that they are able to take things more seriously.  However, I honestly don’t believe online multi-player games should really be used at all.  Most kids find those games fun, and mixing a past-time with schoolwork can have a negative effect.  Instead of the desired effect (that the games make learning fun), children may end up thinking that mixing their schoolwork with their favorite game makes the game seem boring!