LESSON 4

http://www.pbs.org./parents/childrenandmedia

In this website it talks about the different age groups in which children view games. Depending on the age will vary on how children will view gmes. Also the age will also determine whether a games is inappropriate or appropriate. Parents need to ask questions about the video game. Getting involved is key to control what your child plays. Limiting how much time is crucial. One thing I have learned is not to let a preschooler play games that are rated mature or teen. These games are to advanced and can have mature scences or language. Most games can be educational and can help a child with hand and eye coordination.


http://www.kidscource.com/kidscource/content2/video.games.html

According to this website it stresses that the content of video games may influence how children's attitude are geared toward gender roles. There are males who play more games than female. Children who play violent games tend to have an aggressive behavior later in life. They sometimes want to believe that they can act out the game. Video games tend to lack physical activity in children. To much time spent on video games can cause epileptic seizures and can cause heart and blood pressure to change.

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/health_saftey/video_games_and_children.shtml

This website also talks about how to much violence in games is not good for children. Children might have trouble with reality versus fantasy. Parents need to be involved and monitor what their children play and how long they play. With more parent involvement children will understand the concept. The new system the Wii allows a child to be more physically involved in the game since they are using their hands and sometimes their whole body. I have a Wii and my children are actually getting a workout when they play "SuperMario Brothers Olympics"

Are video games good or bad? Video games can be both depending on which games are played and if it gears towards their ages.
Can this be an either/or question or is it some of both?
Yes this can be either or since depending on how parents view this, parents will have questions on how this affects their children.
What should educators and parents look for in games?
As educators and parents ratings and content should be reviewed before a child plays a game. If more parents would be involved then this would be controlled.

LESSON 4

http://familyinternet.about.com/od/introfamilycomputing/a/choosekidssoftw.htm

In this website it talks about how video games can have an educational component or involve open-ended creative play. Fine motor skills is something that a child can learn because on the mouse you have to either right click or left click. To much exposure to violence is some games can embed in a childs brain since it is still forming. Minimal to no violence is better. The only bad thing is that children are not only exposed to violence on video gmes but television as well.

Lesson 3 Technology

Technology is wonderful. I simply love my laptop and digital camera. My laptop is accessible where i can take it from room to room and not be sitting at the computer desk. When my children are doing their homework or looking at their myspace, I know that I am able to do my homework. If I have to go somewhere, I can take my laptop and hope I can get a good wireless signal and read my email or whatever I have to do.

As for my digital camera, its a great piece of technology. You can just take pictures and dowload the memory card instead of having to take the film and have it developed. I remember having to do that with my camera where I had to load the film. I am able to download my pictures right to my laptop and able to share them through email. Life is so much easier with these two gadgets.