Ali Carr-Chellman: Gaming to re-engage boys in learning

SUMMARY:

In this video, the speaker Ali Carr-Chellman, the instructional designer and author who studies the effective ways to teach the kids, gives us information about the boys’ problem that they do not feel comfortable in present environment of the classrooms, i.e., the presence of boys in the classrooms is decreasing day by day.  The speaker gives three main reasons for this problem.  Firstly, zero tolerance, as a boy, they have to write what the teacher says to him, not by his wish, i.e., they do not like writing and teacher thinks that he is a boy and may be done wrong.  Secondly, fewer male teachers, in most of the elementary schools, there are female teacher and in that situation, there is a lack of male role models for boys and they think that this is a place for girls only not for boys.  Thirdly, kindergarten is the old second grade, compressive curriculum effects the boys’ mentality and development.  The speaker gives few solutions to re-engage boys in the learning process such as design better games, talk to teachers, parents, school boards members, and politicians, find more money for game design, and look at teacher’s attitude, so that boys feel comfortable in the classrooms and get education. (Word count:206)

RESPONSE:

I strongly agree with the speaker’s view about re-engaging the boys in learning.  We always think that women need more attention and facilities for better life, but we cannot avoid that serious problem.  We need equality of genders in every field not disproportion.  Today, if we see the studies, we can easily understand how presence of boys in the classrooms is decreasing rapidly.  In the universities, 62% women get degree, so where the boys are.  It is a collective responsibility of society, parents, teachers, and governments to solve this problem.  As speaker mentions few solutions for that, we should follow that solutions to re-engage boys in learning process, so that the boys start taking interest in studies and go to school regularly.  It is time to change our ideology and accept the boy culture in the classrooms, so that they feel comfortable in the classrooms. (Word count:145)