As a person who worked at Microsoft for 10 years I’m not what you would call a “technophobe.” I believe in technology—both as a communications and learning tool. Both of my children have computers and we’ve dabbled here and there with computer games. Last year Logan spent a bit of time in an after school program and actually started learning Photoshop which I thought was just about the coolest thing ever. At age 7, we all felt pretty comfortable with the use of the computers and the time spent on them. That is, until Webkinz entered our lives.
I had never heard of Webkinz but found out later they’re quite a phenomenon. For those of you who don’t know, Webkinz are these cute stuffed animals (there must be a hundred to choose from) that have an online component to them. When you get them, which my children did from their auntie, they come with a registration number which you quickly use to “adopt” your pet. Once you adopt them you give them a name, build a room for them and fill it up with all the things your pet just loves. You’re responsible to care for him when he’s sick, feed him when he’s hungry and keep him happy. It didn’t take them long to get up to speed on how to play the games and buy things for their beloved pets. It’s a pretty interesting exercise. They’re reading, they’re doing math and learning to care for something other than themselves albeit virtual.
Now the thing is, I think there are a lot of amazing things to be learned through this link of real world object and online world but it’s completely consuming. They were playing this morning for a solid hour before they even had breakfast! They’ve never been so motivated to do anything on the computer before and I’ve really been surprised by it. This early interest was enough to motivate us to set some limits. We’re still navigating a bit and I’m not entirely sure how much is too much or what is enough to keep their interest. But I have found a couple of resources that have great ideas.
Tips for managing actual usage
How to develop a use chart - http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/computer-kids-schedule.htm
Ergonomics - healthy computer time; http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/k_ergonomics.html
Posted on September 23rd, 2007 by Sam
Filed under: Uncategorized
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