First, the DS was popping up in schools all over the world, as a tool to get students excited about learning. Now Nintendo's latest is following suit, but in a different way: the Wii is being used to promote fitness and exercise as a tool for virtual P.E. Not only does this bode well for Nintendo's efforts in world domination, but it also adds an interesting dimension to the future of gaming as a whole. But it also opens up an interesting question for us Nintendo fans to consider. Which system will be more successful, worldwide, in schools? Will the DS do more to prop up education, or will the Wii help get kids moving? Of course, it must be mentioned that the DS can be used as an exercise tool as well. After all, it's important to know how to walk.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-28-2008 @ 3:12PM
AoOs said...
I was thinking the other day: If I had had My French Coach, while I was still in school, learning french, then I would probably have learned more than I did. It's totally brilliant.
So if there is any kids out there, reading this (and have French in their school): BUY/MAKE/DOWNLOAD My French Coach - You won't regret it.
Reply
1-28-2008 @ 3:21PM
Alisha Karabinus said...
I really want to pick up the Spanish one, also. I agree that it is helpful, because it's just a neat way to drill. I'd really like to see some US schools pick up on the DS-in-class phenomenon.
1-28-2008 @ 3:32PM
AoOs said...
Yea, it would be really nice if they at least recommended the DS system to the pupils, recognizing the effect.
As for Wii, I think it would totally fail in schools.
1st, you don't get _that_ much exercise, not enough to cancel a gym class, anyhow.
2nd, think of all the broken controllers, from children losing/dropping them - a clear no-go.
1-28-2008 @ 3:12PM
AoOs said...
I was thinking the other day: If I had had My French Coach, while I was still in school, learning french, then I would probably have learned more than I did. It's totally brilliant.
So if there is any kids out there, reading this (and have French in their school): BUY/MAKE/DOWNLOAD My French Coach - You won't regret it.
Reply
1-28-2008 @ 4:42PM
Nigeria said...
As an exercise tool, the Wii will be a utter failure. Too little physical effort is required in the Wii Sports games to even consider it an exercise.
If schools wish to incorporate video games into gym class, DDR will be the better alternative. It takes up less physical space and it actually works your heart - assuming you're playing properly.
And of the DS, I'm not particular sure. I haven't had no experience of these training games. None of these "games" have attracted my gaze as of yet, but your reviews of My French Coach were intriguing. I'm just waiting for the price to drop to a more appropriate level.
Or for somebody to give me a free copy.
Reply
1-28-2008 @ 4:57PM
Waffala said...
DDR would actually provide real exercise, but I doubt something like that would ever catch on. Maybe at a private school WiiFit could be integrated since the cost would be easier to cover, but video games could never actually make up for gym. By the way, it's 'haven't had any' not "haven't had no". This is why we need DS in schools, with My Grammar Coach.
1-28-2008 @ 6:59PM
Nigeria said...
A google search on "My Grammar Coach” only revealed a game called “My Word Coach”.
It looks like I will never improve my grammar. Unless I pick up a book.
1-28-2008 @ 6:51PM
Brello said...
It's all about teachers that take pride in what they do. A DS or Wii could be beneficial, but not if they just plunk them down in front of Brain Age for an hour instead of actually teaching. I saw an article about a teacher that utilized a Wii just to look at what the temperature is like in other places in the world. I thought that was pretty neat.
Reply
1-29-2008 @ 3:45PM
Matdredalia said...
While I think having the DS & Wii in schools would be brilliant, much like I always thought it was fantastic how schools were implementing laptops, I believe there are still too many game-o-phobes out there who will freak at the prospect that "oh noes, teh kids are playing teh videeoo games in teh skewls!"
Too many people are not going to see the potential benefits of having the Wii & DS in schools and will completely ignore games like Wii Sports, Brain Age, My *insert language here* Coach, and say "OH MY GOD! THEY'RE TEACHING OUR KIDS TO BE MURDERERS WITH MORTAL KOMBAT!!"
However, if you could get past all the close-minded anti-gamers and well-meaning-but-daft parents....I would say that the DS would be more successful as it has more educational titles and frankly, we've got more kids suffering due to lack of real education than lack of baseball practice.
Reply