Practicum # 5-Sara

Like I discussed in my Practicum presentation, I joined a virtual world for kids called "Club Penguin." I interacted with the game and the other "penguins" for a while and found more games that you can play. I played a game called "Hydro-Hopper." It was a pretty simple game. You were on a tube being dragged behind a boat and you had to avoid this in the water by moving the mouse back and forth. I got up to level four and then I let myself die. Although this game was fairly easy, I can see how tweens would have a challenging time with this game. I can also see how it could be addicting. While playing this game, I was reminded of Plants Vs. Zombies. Plants Vs. Zombies may be a little more challenging than Hydro-Hopper, but it is the same essential idea. There doesn't seem to be too much brain work involved, but I think it is good for kids to play these kinds of games because it helps stimulate their mind. Club Penguin also helps kids interact in the virtual world in a similar way a person would in real life. You are able to earn coins by playing games ( I earned 70 coins by playing Hydro-Hopper) and then you can use these coins to buy things. I was also invited by another penguin to go to his "party at his igloo." Although you cannot hear their voice, penguins are able to send short messages to each other. This allows for a safe way to interact with other children. I think it is a good idea that you cannot write long messages to other penguins because I think this would make it less safe. Overall, I wouldn't want my child to play video games all the time, but I would rather them join a safe virtual world, such as Club Penguin, as opposed to playing a video game where the goal is to shoot people.