"Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!" : how computer and video games are preparing your kids for twenty-first century success-- and how you can help!

Content Note

pt. I. Games are NOT the enemy -- 1. Of course you're worried : you have no idea what's going on! -- 2. The really good news about your kids' games -- 3. But wait--what about all that bad stuff I hear about in the press -- pt. II. The rise of the digital native -- 4. Our kids are not like us : they're natives, we're immigrants -- 5. Do they really think differently? -- 6. The emerging online life of the digital native -- pt. III. What's different about today's games -- 7. Complexity matters : what most adults don't understand about games -- 8. What kids learn that's POSITIVE from playing computer games -- 9. The motivation of gameplay -- 10. Adaptivity in games--really leaving no child behind -- 11. It's not just the games--it's the system -- pt. IV. What kids are learning (on their own) -- 12. Economics and business lessons for a 10-year-old from a computer game -- 13. How kids learn to cooperate in video games -- 14. Video games are our kids' first ethics lessons (believe it or not!) -- 15. The seven games of highly effective people -- 16. Making games of their own : modding -- 17. Playing video games to stay healthy (yes, video games!) -- 18. What our kids could be learning from their cell phones -- pt. V. How parents, teachers, and all adults can get in the game! -- 19. Talk to your kids; value what they know -- 20. The new language--a digital immigrant remedial vocabulary -- 21. How parents who "get it" are educating their kids about games -- 22. Girls, boys, parents, grandparents--there are games for everyone -- 23. Moving past "edutainment" : curricular games are coming -- 24. For teachers : using games in the curriculum and classroom -- 25. What can kids learn on their own? -- 26. Are you as brave as your kids?--try it yourself! -- 27. What to do right now -- Conclusion -- Epilogue -- Appendix: a parent-teacher toolkit.