Petition: Close the Belk Library Game Room at App State

After reading through a majority of these comments it seems as though certain members of the History department feel the need to govern the activities, services, and direction of all departments on campus. An organizational structure exists in each department for this reason. In a healthy society there should be disagreement and consensus it is the foundation of democracy, but when certain individuals feel compelled that their behaviors and beliefs trump all others then a dictatorship rears it’s head. When the library moved to it’s new space along came a new direction with the addition of an Information Commons. In order to evolve and fulfill the vision of a learning commons the library must adopt new trends, spaces, and methods of research. Ultimately the campus as a whole will be the judge if particular services such as the game room are needed and the library will make decisions based on assessment and research rather than assumptions.

This petition was brought to my attention shortly after it was created, and since then I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the game room and the arguments opposing it. These are my thoughts: I find it disappointing that so many members of the history department are opposed to the creation of a game room in the library. As a history major and an education major, I believe video games can have a beneficial role in the study of history, as well as other subject areas. I once had a history teacher in high school who would frequently show films or documentaries in class. Not only would we take the time as a class to discuss the historical inaccuracies we noticed, but my teacher also believed it was important to offer us a chance to have a visual representation of the era we were discussing. Having a visual image makes the content more memorable and more interesting, though many students who read textbooks may have a hard time creating a visual image in their mind regarding what they are studying. Providing that for them caused the students to be more involved in class. That was one of the most engaging history classes I have ever had as a student. Video games can take that type of learning to the next level – I even did a project about it in my CI 2300 class (Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age). The project explored the use of a game, in this case “The Oregon Trail”, as media for learning in a classroom setting. You can view the project and my analysis if you wish: http://claireeubanks.wix.com/clairesclassroom#!project-one/c16pe It would be extremely beneficial for students to not only have a visual representation of an area of history, but also have the opportunity to experience it, to immerse themselves in it, to some extent. Many games exist that are based on historical contexts. War games, for example. Or even a game such as Skyrim – yes, it’s pretty much a game about dragons. But when I played Skyrim myself, it wasn’t the dragons that interes

It's worth inquiring about the services that actually exist on campus before making assumptions. There are currently no game consoles in the student union.

Your point is specious and does not respond to any points that have been raised. Nothing in the article originally posted suggested that the room was about creating new knowledge. The kind of scholar who would sign this petition is precisely one who believes in creating knowledge.

You know you signed it, right?

"to create knew knowledge" You have to ask yourself what kind of scholar would sign this petition?

After reading the comments on this petition, I would like to clarify that I am the person who wrote and published the article about the opening of the game room in Belk Library. As managing editor, I am responsible for the content on the Tech News Center, which is intended to keep the library and campus community informed about what the Technology Services team is doing. To get a better sense of the mission of the Tech News Center, please read the Message from the Editor on the site. I welcome open and civil discourse on educational issues that concern readers of the Tech News blog. Keep in mind, however, that the news articles I publish are not official announcements from the Coordinator of Technology Services or the Dean of Libraries. Therefore, the style and tone of the articles fall within the purview of my editorial judgment. Furthermore, I am not an expert on the use of video games or gaming in an academic setting. The purpose of this particular blog post was to engage students in an informal way to let them know that we are offering a new service. I'll leave the critical analysis of this fact to others who better understand the issue.

Video game programming is among the most difficult in computer science. I, too, think it might be a great idea to have books in the game room that deal with how game engines are created -- the graphics, physics, mathematics, artwork, human-computer interface issues, and elements of good game design make for deep study that students of technology can use to motivate the less exciting aspects of their studies. In addition to the academic elements that students of technology can benefit from, having examples of good games for students to play will provide a respite from studying that will be of benefit. It's good to have a game space within the library because it will not move the student away from their study venue. And students who never set foot in the library might go to see the game room and discover other aspects of the library that intrigue them. It might show them that academic folks know that good video games are intellectually stimulating. Since the average age of video game players today is around 30-31, young faculty might find the room a nice place to be. I support the library's new video game room and applaud those who made this happen.

Michael, Perhaps you have made a remarkable point in favor of the video gaming room. How wonderful it would be to make the library more appealing to students! A TV-watching room with videos that appeal to communications majors, a room that supports exercise with videos/books, a room that gives students the opportunity for hands on fermentation experimentation, these would definitely make the library less "stuffy"! Fun and involvement inspires inquiry and lifelong learning. It is time for libraries to make a positive change based on how students learn and future projections!

I think that there is a disconnect with some individuals who do not understand the intellectual fortitude that the video gaming industry requires. The students at ASU who will use this room within the academic setting of the library do not "just play the games". They will be delving into the components that comprise the game, evaluating the creative design of the game, researching the artist, learning about the musical composition, and investigating the programs that were used. Perhaps books that support these inquiries should be on the shelves of this room. I would ask that anyone who is opposed to providing ASU students the opportunity to better understand this multi-billion dollar industry to google Twitch (bought by Amazon for $970 million dollars). Let us provide opportunities for students to gain a better understanding of gaming technology within the educational setting of the library as other forward thinking universities have.

Well said!

No one in their right mind thinks that. But what they do think is that software and technology can help facilitate the process of education in ways that were not possible a decade ago. It seems that you think there is only one right way to educate, and all attempts to break away from the traditional are nothing but wasted effort. That's ridiculously insulting to all the educators who choose to use technology to their and their students advantage.

No, it would be "an elaborate postmodernist joke" if they had the game consoles but broke all the controllers. And honestly, postmodernism isn't that hard to decipher. Which is in stark contrast to your inability to understand that having game consoles in the library is a positive change.

This site is fracked by posting my reply numerous times with no option to delete. Time to lay off the Colt 45.

Yes, you are so right! Offering students something new is totally like fracking, I am afraid you are fracked in the head.

That's right. Us losers in subprime mortgaged trailers like to sit around drunk on Colt 45, watching and believing Fox News, addictively playing World of Warcraft, and glued to reality television but we pray that our ivory tower saviors will deliver us from being just "people" and being further ruined by library video game agendas. Mario Kart destroys lives.

That's right. Us losers in subprime mortgaged trailers like to sit around drunk on Colt 45, watching and believing Fox News, addictively playing World of Warcraft, and glued to reality television but we pray that our ivory tower saviors will deliver us from being just "people" and being further ruined by library video game agendas. Mario Kart destroys lifes.

That's right. Us losers in subprime mortgaged trailers like to sit around drunk on Colt 45, watching and believing Fox News, addictively playing World of Warcraft, and glued to reality television but we pray that our ivory tower saviors will deliver us from being just "people" and being further ruined by library video game agendas. Mario Kart destroys lives.

"Postmodernist joke" is too much. You're killing me. It's just a study room with game consoles. Chill your tits.

The library circulates many board games and card games but as soon as shit goes digital, the whiners that swear they aren't Luddites come out to play.