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Confronting the Dark Side of Video Games

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Games: Purpose and Potential in Education

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Abstract

New video games have increasingly allowed players to choose their own destiny (or path of character development) by presenting them with choice of actions from both light and dark sides. Some studies suggested that players who have been exposed to the “dark side” of video games may act out unacceptable social behaviors based on their learning experiences. This issue of the effect of unintentional learning in video games deserves much scrutiny and honest discussion among researcher. Unfortunately, the issue has so far, either been bashed or glossed over by experts on both side of the effect-of-video-games chasm.

As educators, we have the responsibility to carefully evaluate and consider the effects of video games in learning because it is our duty to educate and shape the young minds. Rule #1 remains, “Do no harm!”

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  1. Department of Curriculum & Instruction, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, 62901, IL

    Christian Sebastian Loh

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  1. Dept. Curriculum & Instruction, Morehead State University, 401K Ginger Hall, 40351, Morehead, KY, USA

    Christopher Thomas Miller

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Loh, C.S. (2009). Confronting the Dark Side of Video Games. In: Miller, C. (eds) Games: Purpose and Potential in Education. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09775-6_8

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