[Edu-sig] Playing games

[Arthur]

Arthur wrote:

>Then from:
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2005/sep05/09-12CSGames.mspx
>
>*"""
>  
>
How the game is being played:

More from the same source:

"""
Studies funded by the National Science Foundation have found that the 
student retention rate in introductory level computer science classes 
that use Alice nearly double – from 47 percent to 88 percent -- among 
students who are traditionally at risk of dropping out of computer 
science. On average, these students earned B-level grades, higher than 
the C-level grades earned by at-risk students who didn’t use Alice.
"""

"Studies funded by the National Science Foundation"  sounds 
substantial.  But of course we are talking about studies about the 
effectiveness of Alice by the creator of Alice.  I suspect all is 
absolutely consistent - the studies have *no* scientific merit.  The 
answer the studies give  is absolutely determined by the question it 
asks.  Is it the right question??????   Science again is the victim.

Difficult to maintain by relentless assault on the Pausch world view 
under the circumstances.  Through a serendipitous connection, I have 
some information he is recently battling serious health issues.  He is a 
young man.  I hope the information is mistaken, and if correct - wish 
him well in this battle.  Truly.

Art



>Support Includes Lobbying, Sponsorships and Enhanced Development Tools *
>
>Microsoft’s and MSR’s efforts to promote new instructional methods and 
>rebuild enrollment in computer science programs go far beyond the RFP 
>awards.
>
>In addition to funding, proponents of game-related instruction say they 
>need help changing perceptions about computer games, particularly among 
>veteran computer science faculty who never played computer games when 
>they were growing up.
>
>Microsoft and MSR have sought to take a leadership role in these efforts 
>by promoting potential applications for serious games and lobbying 
>government, academia and business about the benefits of game-related 
>instruction in computer science, Nordlinger says.
>
>"""
>
>As usual in these discussions, the Microsoft stance relies - at it s 
>essence - on maintaining ambiguity about whether we are talking about 
>playing games, or the demanding (I can't do it, for example) notion of 
>writing them. And is in this respect is -at its essence - dishonest.
>
>They are indeed playing games.
>
>And mostly winning.
>
>Python???
>
>The Scheme community seem to me to take something of a stance on these 
>issues. Perhaps that stance is a __built-in__ to the language structure.
>
>Python is perhaps more flexible, perhaps multi-paradigm extends to these 
>kinds of issues as well.
>
>The best I seem to be able to hope for as a member of the Python 
>community is that it not become identified with a particular paradigm. 
>To me we are due for a different kind of PyCon keynote speaker on the 
>subject of technology and education, in the interest of balance. Perhaps 
>a leading Schemer.
>
>Art
>
>
>
>
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