Unless you are living in solitude without any access at all to the internet and no communication with another human being, you are likely to have at least heard of the game called Minecraft. Minecraft is kind of like Legos, where you can use blocks to build anything you imagine. It has become one of the most popular games in history, and among other online games, has gained influence in many public libraries across the nation.
Offering online games like Minecraft as a service in the
library has been a controversial topic for quite some time while librarians and
other staff try to weigh the benefits and disadvantages. Some see offering
online games as a hindrance since kids are only seeming to visit the library to
play these games, however, others are making the argument that the fact that
these kids are coming into the library is good enough for them!
Several articles and research will tell you how certain
videogames (emphasis on certain) create excellent learning opportunities and
are really beneficial for the brain and a child’s developmental growth. Google
“Minecraft creations” and you’ll see why. This videogame takes skill and the ability to think logically
in order to build these remarkable creations. Minecraft is just one example of an appropriate game to implement into the library. Marc Prensky, an internationally
acclaimed author for learning and education emphasizes how World of Warcraft,
another popular videogame gets players to collaborate and work in teams; it
forces players to make ethical and moral decisions, and to think strategically.
If you are ever wondering if you should implement online
games as a service in your library, just know that there are games out there
like Minecraft and World of Warcraft that have a multitude of educational
benefits, greatly outweighing the disadvantages. They help bring juveniles and young adults into the library, creating
that sense of community as these online gamers are able to share a common
interest with one another.
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