Breaking
Home » Entertainment » Web worlds 'useful' for children

Web worlds 'useful' for children

Published: May 24, 2008

For instance, he said, children trying out Adventure Rock learned many useful social skills and played around with their identity in ways that would be much more difficult in real life.
Prof Gauntlett said what children liked about virtual worlds was the chance to create content such as music, cartoons and video and the tools that measured their standing in the world compared to others.  "Virtual worlds can be a powerful, engaging and interactive alternative to more passive media," he said.
He urged the BBC and other creators of virtual spaces for children to get young people involved very early on.  "They really do have good ideas to contribute and they are very good critical friends," said Prof Gauntlett.
"The kids know what they are doing and are very good at telling you in a brutally honest and forthright manner about what they want to see," said Wil Davies, a teacher at Peterston Super Ely primary in Glamorgan, from where some of the research subjects were drawn.  Irene Sutherland, a teacher at Merrylee primary, which also took part, said: "Children were adamant about the bits they did not play but were full of ideas about how to improve them."                                - BB

Continue Reading
 < 1 2
eMail to a Friend

Your Opinion

The Nation on Twitter The Nation 24 Hours News RSS
Bramerz Bramerz Bramerz Bramerz

© Copyright 2004 - Nawaiwaqt Group of News Papers - All rights reserved.

Daily Weekly Both