I played FreeRice and I love this game! It gave me insight to what my voacabulary level is at now. One of the options for the game is to change the subject matter that it quizzes you on and I chose Spanish and Geography. The spanish version let me learn new words that I don't use on a normal basis. The Geography one was very challenging for me, I think I should familiarize myself with the different countries of the world even more so. All in all, this game would definitely improve my vocabulary , english and spanish wise. The fact that I am helping the world by donating rice makes me want to play the game more and have a better score.
#36 Runescape
Runescape has always bewildered me, I never understood why it was so popular with some of the kids at the library but after signing up and learning about it, I have a better understanding of why it is popular. It took very little to get the character to move around, all I had to do was click on the spot I wanted it to move to. Sometimes when it asked me to find something, it was a bit hard if it was hidden behind a stone wall; I had to mouse over the screen until the item I was looking for was identified. My Runescape character has dark long hair and is wearing a vest type top with a long skirt.
#37
I read the Article from the New York Times, I didn't realize that some libraries had actual games that check out. I know that a few of my patrons have asked if we carried them but I have always had to tell them no. With the budget, I don't predict Harris County would be able to fund that venture at the moment, but maybe sometime in the future, you never know. I think it does bring more patrons to the library and it broadens our clientele. I know some kids only come for the games during our teen time program but then they start to stick around and find things that interest them and check out books and start to realize what resources they have here. I love to see new college students that used to be one of the "gamers" return and use our books for papers that they have to write. They remember us and are comfortable coming up to us to ask for help, whether with finding a book, a database or an online resource. But I digress. Gaming in the library is a positive thing. Now in regards to the Carnegie Mellon University Libaries Website, I tried the game that dealt with shelving. The first few levels were pretty easy even though it used the library of congress method, I think. As I advanced, it got so much harder for me, I guess classifying nonfiction is not my forte. Games are constantly evolving, and I think the library will do well to keep up with this new technology, if not we will be left behind in the dust. A software engineer could be researching the way civilians dressed say in the 1540's or some other era, because they wanted to make their game avatars as accurate as possible because it's an educational historical game. This game could one day be used at the library for a historical program...
Anyhow, games definitely have a place in the library, I just think maybe we should keep it in the meeting room just in case we have people trying to have some quiet study time nearby.
#38
Hmm... nostalgic game site really brought back memories. I played Duck Hunt, my all time favorite Nintendo game of all time. But I forgot how that dog sheepishly laughs at you when you miss! grrr. But the one main difference is that with the Nintendo you have the actual gun you use to shoot with but it still was nice! I suppose if I played some of the game that they have now, my hand eye cordinatin would be so much better. I know I can barely tell where some buttons are on a controller by the time I figure out where the B button is, the match/round is over. I truly believe the Wii has more library use potential then other games. I like the fact that it includes movement. I think it teaches children or the adult users the actual rules of sports that are played and what it actually looks like to play the game in a way. I don't think it distracts from learning so long as it is used conjointly and properly with teaching methods. I know of some library users who came for the game but stay for the book; but majority of them usually just come for the games. But to give them the benefit of a doubt, I know of some former teenagers who used to just hang out at the library but now as adults are here using the resources we have. This one person comes in to meet with his study group and to find books to help him out in his studies. It's so nice when they tell you, "wow miss you remember me? I'm not a teenager anymore, I'm in college" and it makes me smile.
