THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2006
NEWS
TECHNOLOGY
3A
Study advocates video games as teaching tool
Researchers: To adapt to societal changes, educators should introduce new methods into the classroom.
Photo Illustration by Ryan McGeeney/KANSAI
Based on the results of a recent study about the use of educational video games, the Federation of American Scientists is advocating investment of public funds toward the development of games and their uses in classrooms. The study cites such attributes as the personalization of learning, imparting motivation and learning to overcome failure as reasons to incorporate video games into the U.S. educational system.
BY KIM LYNCH
Imagine spending class time playing a video game and being praised for it. The Federation of American Scientists hopes to make this a reality.
The federation released a study this month advocating public investment in researching and developing educational video games for use in the classroom.
According to the study, there are several attributes of video games that could be useful for student learning, such as the personalization of learning, motivation to keep going even after failure and infinite patience on the part of the video game.
The study said the U.S. education system needed to take advantage of new technologies like educational video games to help students learn.
Mike Neal, assistant dean for the School of Education, said he could foresee educational video games being used in a wide range of classes, from social studies to nutrition.
Video games in classrooms should only be used to enhance the student's
Neal said he thought faculty members at the University of Kansas would be open to using educational video games in the classroom if they saw the educational value in the games.
Kathleen Murray, Overland Park sophomore, said she would take a class that used video games because she would be interested to see how the teacher would incorporate educational video games into the learning environment.
learning,he said.
Brian Drake, lecturer with the Humanities and Western Civilization department, said that Western Civilization was a complicated topic and that he didn't think it could be taught with a video game.
However, if a video game was developed that accurately illustrated some of the themes in Western Civilization, Drake said that he would use it because students learned in different ways and that it could be helpful for some.
The study said more research was needed in order to reduce developmental costs and to assess the knowledge students acquired, and to create
an effective product that helped students learn.
Susan Zvacek, director of instructional development and support, said games were motivational and encouraged the player to keep on playing, which was an advantage. At its core, a good game is a learning experience because the user employs skills learned throughout the course of the game in order to advance.
Zvacke said the main problems with using educational video games were figuring out exactly what the student was learning and keeping development costs down.
Heather Bratton, De Soto sophomore, said if a class was offered that incorporated educational video games into the lesson, she probably wouldn't take it because she didn't play video games and probably wouldn't do well in the class.
Kansan staff writer Kim Lynch can be contacted at klynch@kansan. com.
— Edited by Aly Barland
ORGANIZATIONS
Student group holds event to commemorate the dead
The KU Wiccan Pagan Alliance will celebrate a holiday Saturday when'the distance between the living and dead worlds is at its thinnest'
BY COURTNEY HAGEN
Ghosts and the dead will be a fixture for one KU student group this week, but for celebration rather than for spooky stories.
The Wiccan Pagan Alliance will celebrate the Wiccan holiday of Samhain this Saturday. The holiday is celebrated annually on or about Halloween in remembrance of those who have died.
Rebecca Kershner, WPA member and Overland Park junior, said Samhain was believed to be the day when the dead were able to pass into the living world to communicate.
"Samhain is a celebration of the turning of the year, so technically this is our 'New Year,'" Kershner said.
It is the time when the distance between the living world and the dead is at its thinnest, she said, which allowed the dead to join the living for celebrations.
Samhain is one of eight holidays in the Wiccan religion, Kershnner said. The holiday is held between the fall equinox and solstice.
"Since Sanhain is the night when the doorway between this world and the next is at its thinnest, there have always been those opportune spirits who come forth to cause mischief," she said.
People originally wore masks to scare away bad spirits in their villages and to keep their homes safe from
mischief and evil. Kershner said. As time progressed, children assumed the role of dressing up, which developed into the holiday of Halloween.
"It became more of a festival than a necessity to drive away malicious spirits," she said.
Sean Manning, WPA president and Overland Park senior, said the group held a "dumb feast" dinner every year to celebrate the members loved ones who had passed away.
Manning said that the meal was
held in silence and that participants in the dinner would leave food for the dead to show their dead loved ones that they were still a part of their lives.
Though the holiday was intended to be inviting to the dead, Manning said participants didn't normally try to communicate supernaturally with those who had passed on.
"It is more about commemoration than communication," Manning said. "Most of what we're doing has
to do with remembering."
Manning said the dinner was only open to WPA members, but that the organization invited anyone to attend its weekly open-door meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Alcove A of the Kansas Union.
Kansan staff writer Courtney Hagen can be contacted at chagen@ kansan.com.
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
JAYWALK!
Edited by Nicole Kelley
Have you ever felt unsafe walking alone at night on campus? Wish someone could walk with you? Jaywalk can help!
What is JayWalk?
JayWalt is not available to all students who want a JayWalt volunteer to WALK them to their residence hall or car, or to wait with them for the Night Campus Express Bus or SafeRide.
Where is JayWalk?
The JayWalk station and volunteers are located inside Anschutz Library.
When is the service available?
JayWalk runs Sunday through Thursday from 8pm to midnight.
Who walks with me?
One male and one female will escort you to a specific location.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR JayWalk!
Call us at: 864-3222
JayWalk is giving away an iPDN Nanol Every time you use our service or volunteer with JayWalk, you get your name in the drawing, which will be in December!
Volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated! While you are assisting KJ students you can also study and do homework! Pick up forms in room A10 in the Kansas Union! If you have any questions regarding the service or about volunteering, please email SAFETY.tku.edu.
To evaluate and obtain location and project specificity, perform open orientear test, either or both, the FCAO
Volunteer for C.R.E.A.T.E.
Community Resources Engaging in the Arts
Through Education!
Deal with kiss!
Tuesdays 10:11 am
Wednesdays 9:30 - 8:00 pm
October 31,2006
HUG
informational heating for the rLD-G; volume
resistant pressure in CCD.
The Kellogg Center Generous program provides opportunities at various locations near ground Level. Formerly known as home to the Governor's room in the 6th Floor of the University Union on Wednesday at 6:00
Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
Fall 2006 Induction
Membership applications are due tomorrow
- emotional intimacy
  * sexual bonding
negotiating differences
* tolerating sameness
Applications and more information are available at www.advising.ku.edu phialphdelta
The Intimacy for Committed Couples workshop is a weekend workshop where couples learn about communication, trust and the necessary tools to make a relationship successful. Dennis Daley, professor emeritus of Social Welfare at KU will be the instructor. Topics include
Friday, November 3: 6-9pm
Saturday, November 4: 9am-1pm
Cost per couple: $35 Students, $45 Non-Student
Hawaii for Health and CLO Halloween Chatume Party
This Sunday, 1:30-3:30pm, Big 12 Room, 5th Floor
Kansas Union
COMMUNITY LIVING OPPORTUNITIES
CLOS's mission is to help adults and children with severe developmental disabilities achieve personally satisfying and fulfilling lifestyles.
We need volunteers to help with the party, mingle, and have some fun.
funded by:
SUPPORT
SENATE
Able Hawks
*Find helpful hints to help you know your routine.*
PAID FOR BY KU
KU Students for Fair Trade
Fair Trade in the Heartland Conference
Learn about Fair Trade and get
motivated to make a difference!
Location: Manhattan, KS
Dates: November 3-4
Go to at lawrencefairtrace.org for more info.
$10 registration fee
JUBILEE CAFE
I