Stick Tetris on the timetable

28th July 2006, 1:00am

Share

Stick Tetris on the timetable

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/stick-tetris-timetable
It is heartening to learn that teachers appear more enthusiastic than teenagers about playing computer games in lessons (page 4). Not only does it suggest that today’s teachers are open-minded - and ready to take on all challengers at Tetris - it also indicates that the debate about the educational potential of games has moved on. No longer is it a simplistic row between technology-obsessed evangelists who see “edutainment” as the panacea for all schools’ ills and Luddites who dismiss video games as pointless and brain-rotting.

So why are teenagers less keen to swap their pens for joysticks? Maybe they worry that schools would take the fun out of them. More likely, they see their upcoming exams as a greater priority. They are skilled enough at bumping up their scores, repetitive activities and finishing off nasties to move up to the next level. It is called the national curriculum.

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared