Learning Vs. Gaming

While mulling over the idea of Second life being more of a game for many of us rather than a community like those that are devoted second lifers, I came across an outline of the possible uses for the use of CMC in classes. The site http://nettskolen.com/forskning/19/cmcped.html is a detailed description of all the potential things that could be done in regards to using the computer. I found a small section on the gaming community and how it can be used for this type of learning.

From farther investigation it seems that a professor can find or create on online game or simulation where the students then go on and play. The difference is that they use the game in terms of a real life situation. Try for example they would have a part where student gamers go into an office for an interview to role play the types of questions and actins that would be appropriate for whatever the job field they are applying for. This then gives them the opportunity to act as if it is more of a real life situation, because they have know way of actually knowing who is doing the interviewing and could potentially build vital skills to help them succeed in attaining a real life job.

Also I could see this being used in an expanse of helping individual’s whit personality disorders to better understand appropriate behavior for social situations through a game. This idea stems form the series of studies based on how violent games influence behavior so why not create games where they are repercussions or actions seen as inappropriate to teach proper behavior. This could then lead to an online escape for a gamers to learn for a future career of even what is considered the normal types of behavior for today’s society.