I see the value of using games for English Education. For example, if I wanted to teach students about the elements of a story, they could actually play a character that navigates through a story. It offers an interactive feel that will provide learning that lasts. Additionally, students of this upcoming generation have already been flooded with technology and games throughout their childhood. Thus, they will be accustomed to games and the learning can take place naturally rather than forcefully through the use of games.
On the other hand, serious games are just that: games. The danger of teaching some material with games is that students might begin expecting more material with games. If they are entertained with the games, we approach the danger of having them associate learning with solely entertainment. If students expect to always be entertained when they are learning, they will be disillusioned when they have to write papers or read time- and effort-consuming novels or papers. With a generation that is used to intstant and fun information, they still need to learn the skills of patiently studying information and learning through reading, writing, etc. If the students do not learn these skills at school, where else will they learn them when their homes and social environments are filled with technology that promotes quick and pleasing entertainment?
On the other hand, serious games are just that: games. The danger of teaching some material with games is that students might begin expecting more material with games. If they are entertained with the games, we approach the danger of having them associate learning with solely entertainment. If students expect to always be entertained when they are learning, they will be disillusioned when they have to write papers or read time- and effort-consuming novels or papers. With a generation that is used to intstant and fun information, they still need to learn the skills of patiently studying information and learning through reading, writing, etc. If the students do not learn these skills at school, where else will they learn them when their homes and social environments are filled with technology that promotes quick and pleasing entertainment?