I watched the CBS Evening News Games Our Children Play segment and was very happy with it. CBS cites the study Teens, Video Games, and Civics, that says “97% of children play video games and 65% play with others.” For tonight’s epsiode, Connie Yowell of Pew/Internet Research says that games are, “social” and have “dynamic problem solving.” Kids “learn through participation and interaction.” Parents “don’t get video games.” They don’t understand the “how and nature that kids particpate.” Many of the things that Karl Kapp and others have said about games.

I find this fascinating and ask Karl a couple of questions on games:

When did you realize the great learning potential of games?

I’ve always really enjoyed playing video games but what really opened my eyes to the potential was watching my boys and seeing what they learned from the games and then trying to figure out how to match what the boys really like to do with learning. That is a big challenge but worth doing.

What type of games did you let your kids play when they were 4-10 or would you recommend?

Great question, when my boys were young, they loved the Blue’s Clues games. They were on CD-ROM and it was like you were in the TV show. These were really well done. If you can find them and they still run–get them. Also we played some interactive books based on Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter. Those interactive books (again, CD-ROM based) were great for teaching spelling and how to use the computer. Also, they liked Roller Coaster Tycoon. They had to grow into some of the more subtle aspects of the game but they loved being able to build an amusement park and checking out the rides. Back then…8-10 years ago, there were not many Internet games. The Internet now has some great resources for kids games from spelling to animal identification. I like the games/interactions by http://www.brainpop.com/ and also check out Big Brain’s Timez Attack for a great online game to teach multiplication tables. They also enjoyed The Sims.

Do you have a favorite computer game to play?

Recently I enjoyed the game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and I really enjoy James Bond: Nightfire. Nighfire is my all time favorite because you ARE James Bond when you play that first person game (no over the shoulder stuff.) And, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be James Bond.

Your wife and kids play Rock Band with you, what is your favorite song to play in the game?

Ok, my wife and kids play Rock Band and they are really good! I am not coordinated enough to play Rock Band with any level of success. I have trouble with Kiss’s Detroit Rock City. If I could just play that song I’d be happy or the Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go”.

Thanks Karl for the answers!
Mark Viquesney