Learning through videogames can be effective if done right

December 25, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

I’ve been playing Rock Band 2 a lot recently, and it’s really helped my rhythm and has basically taught me how to play drums much more quickly than any other method I can of. This experience got me thinking about learning through videogames in general.

I’ve spent most of my life playing videogames. I think videogames are a great way to learn and can help children use parts of their mind that they normally wouldn’t use. It’s unfortunate that there’s a group out there who feel videogames can only rot minds. Quite the opposite is true; it all depends on the games you play.

My first big game was Tetris. I was absolutely addicted and played multiple versions on my NES and then my Gameboy (and eventually every other system known to man including my DS and Wii). Tetris is a great way to teach kids about spacial relations.

I was a huge role-playing game fan ever since playing Final Fantasy II on the SNES. RPGs are a great way to get kids to read. I’ve never read so much in my life than I’ve read while playing RPGs. On my way to becoming the Winnipeg Typing Champion, I learned to type mainly through typing videogames that my friend coded for MS-DOS and later perfected my style playing Typing of the Dead for Dreamcast.

I could bring out many more great examples of how videogames are a great way to learn, but the latest and greatest examples are music games. Sure, some of the instruments such as in Guitar Hero don’t really teach you much other than finger dexterity and rhythm, though those are important, but some games are so close to reality that they can really help you learn before taking professional lessons.

Playing drums is so close to reality that it’s a good jump start. Nothing takes the place of professional lessons, but now at least when you are at a point to take lessons, you are already fairly up to speed with the basics. I’ve also recently purchased Keyboardmania II for PlayStation 2. I’ve always wanted to learn piano, and now I can learn a few things before moving on to real lessons.

Maybe videogames aren’t the best way for everyone to learn, but it meshes quite well with my learning style. You see, I always avoid getting lessons or being trained when I start something new. I like to have the chance to figure things out for myself and develop my own style before later taking lessons and polishing up my act.

Two clear examples of this philosophy are my typing and my comedy. When becoming Winnipeg Typing Champion, I developed my own style of typing that would not have happened if I followed the standard conventions. I use different fingers for keys than are recommended, and I think it’s because my hands are different than anyone else’s hands, which is true of everyone. There is no one correct way to type, depending on the size of your fingers and the strength of your hands, it can vary from person to person.

The same is true of my comedy act. I took great care in carving out my own style before seeking out feedback from other comedians. I think it’s really helped me shape my own style.

Filed under: Performing
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Top nine random reflections of 2008, my first year in Toronto

December 11, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

My first year in Toronto has been a wild, wild ride for sure. There are a number of things that stand out, though most of all would be the sporty gay Asians who’ve welcomed me with open arms. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever found a city so initially welcoming in my entire life. Within my first two months of living in Toronto, I was off to Montreal to play volleyball with a great group of guys.

My dayjob has gone extremely well, having been promoted twice since working here. The only part of my life that hasn’t gone according to plan would be my comedy career, though most of that is my own doing by not focusing enough on it.

1. Toronto is the most welcoming city I’ve ever lived in
2. Changing cities means basically starting over in the comedy business
3. Montreal is a great city, but how long will I love it if I go there five times a year
4. Business people are much more in shape than in Calgary
5. Nintendo’s Wii Fit is the best game ever
6. Politicians are kind of hot lately
7. Toronto’s gay community is a lot like the cast of Gossip Girl (in a good way)
8. The more expensive the haircut, the less chance that they’ll shampoo your hair afterward
9. Baskin Robbins is dangerously close to my new house

Filed under: Living
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Wii Fit absolutely amazing if you can squeeze it into your life

November 29, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

What a crazy morning. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. today to stand in line at the local Toys R Us store to pick up a copy of Wii Fit, which is a fitness training program by the wizards at Nintendo. Wii Fit has actually been out for a few months now, and I’ve seen it around until the recent holiday rush. Now Wii Fit is very difficult to find and is going for more than double its retail price on eBay. Unlike most of my reviews, it will be difficult to give Wii Fit a score, as its true test will be how it incorporates itself into my life and the results I gain from using it.

Over the past few years, I have gained around 20 pounds following a period of little to no physical activity due to a major vehicle accident. I’ve been trying several different ways to get back into shape including playing sports nearly five times a week and hiring a personal trainer this summer. Nothing has really seemed to work, though I have stopped the downward spiral that landed me near 160 pounds. I am now closer to 150 pounds at the start of my Wii Fit experience.

My initial impression of the Wii Balance Board that came with the game is that it is very sturdy (this is Nintendo after all) and does an amazing job of detecting balance. There are four core training areas included: Yoga, Strength, Aerobic and Balance Games. I have taken Yoga in the past and have also had minor strength and aerobic training. The Balance Games are a nice touch as well and the four games unlocked so far have gotten me off the couch and into physical activity.

For me, the most powerful piece of Wii Fit may just be its tracking ability. Today I am listed at 151.7 lbs. with a BMI of 24.38, which is in the normal range, though it’s closely bordering on overweight. My Wii Fit age, which is a measure of my current age with my weight and fitness abilities taken into account, is currently at 42 years old, which is rather terrible.

Wii Fit comes with 40 exercises and activities total, though only a few are available at the start. While some reviewers have faulted Wii Fit for this omission, I think it’s actually one of the better design choices. Harder exercises aren’t unlocked until gamers show they have advanced to that level. Even the easier exercises restrict the number of reps until you show you can handle more. I look forward to advancing and unlocking more and more activities.

Thus far, I LOVE the Yoga included. Even at a real Yoga class, the instructor is not able to so accurately pinpoint my balance deficiencies. Strength training exercises are rather difficult, and this is me performing the exercises without weights. Once I am more proficient and add weights, I am sure to get even more benefit.

I’m not really sure how I will document my time with Wii Fit as yet. I’ll see how my time holds up. For now, I will submit this review and at the very least write a follow-up review on how I am doing in regards to my goals (I have to lose 14.28 pounds in two months).

Thus far, I think Wii Fit is absolutely brilliant and the below score reflects my current feelings, though this score may change as I use the program more and more.

Review Score: ★★★★★ 

Filed under: Playing
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