{Topics on 9.10} Please Make Sure to Study Hard in Advance & Post a Comment＜정참,지참,불참＞

[TOPIC 01] Video games teach kids 'new literacy' A new article on PBS's Mediashift web portal says that kids in this digital age are learning a "new literacy" through playing video games. "Video games become learning tools because they transport the players to virtual worlds that are filled with mystery, excitement and meaningful challenges. And one that feels more realistic," writes Aran Levasseur. "Exploration is a key part of learning and gaming encourages it." Games are based on problems to solve and a critical part of being literate in the digital age means being able to solve problems through simulations and collaboration. Also, unlike school academics, playing video games lets kids fail without making them feel like they've failed. It teaches them that they are not total failures--they just have to keep practicing to advance through levels and to use their problem-solving skills. A 2008 study completed by researchers at Fordham University found students in grades 5 to 7 improved their cognitive and perceptual skills after playing a video game they'd never seen before. And in 2006, Wired Magazine revealed that the new generation has a completely different way of completing tasks: they don't bother asking other people for help to solve a problem. Instead, they figure things out on their own through trial and error, as they've learned to do through video games. Because of the positive results, Mr. Levasseur advises that parents should play games themselves so they can properly engage with their kids on this new type of literacy. 1. Did reading the article change your attitude about video games? Why and how? 2. What are the advantages or disadvantages of playing video games over reading books? 3. Do you try to keep yourself updated with the technological advances? Why and how? 4. Have you ever played a video games before? How was that experience? 5. E-learning is getting popular throughout the world. Have you ever seen these kinds of changes around you? [TOPIC 02] The Mommy War: Working Moms vs. Stay-at-home Moms <img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/cafe/132E74424E67492E37" class="txc-image" actualwidth="300" style="clear:none;float:none;" border="0" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="300" id="A_132E74424E67492E373EB1"/> Alas, the mommy war is still on going. Other studies show that full-time working mothers feel they are criticized as lazy laggards who use their child to avoid employment. On the other hand, full-time working mothers are criticized as cold, heartless and unloving mothers. Each side believes the other is destroying its children's future. In a large number of cases, mothers that work full-time is not primarily motivated by money. The most common reason among the moms who stay working full-time is that they have striven for years to obtain their qualifications and do not wish to lose their hard-earned position and the chance to climb higher in the career ladder. But the fact is that the vast majority of mothers of small children would prefer to work either part-time or not at all, as many previous surveys have indicated. In the new report, it shows that the majority of women see work as a job--a source of money--not as a self-fulfilling career. Therefore, when they have children, they favor caring and nurturing roles over corporate competitiveness and choose to focus on childcare instead of work. There's nothing to argue about, though, because there's plenty of evidence that shows that neither group should criticize the other's choices. After all, if done well, both approaches can be best for the children. 1. Do you think that mothers should work or stay at home to raise children? 2. According to the article, why do mothers find it hard to quit their jobs and instead choose to continue working full-time? 3. In Korea, are there more working moms or more stay-at-home moms? 4. What are the benefits of having a stay-at-home mom? benefits of a working mom? 5. Do you have your own educational philosophy for your future or current children? How do you think that we should raise our children?