Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Classes As Games


After getting a new "breakdown" and reassurance of this class I started to think about my grades in other classes. I know that this class is based off of game theory and the way we are graded is in the same way that a game is played, but isn't that the way most classes are here at the University of Michigan too? Maybe it's just me but around the end of every semester I start to play this "game" with myself and my grades on what I need to get on the final to satisfy not only myself but my parents too (let's be realistic more my parents). I even have downloaded an app to my iPhone called Grades 2 (I suggest you all download it too) where you plug in your syllabus for a class and as the course goes on this app tells you your course grade and what you need on future assignments to get your (or your parents) desired grade. In the past week I have probably spent more time on this app then my most recent downloads, Drawsomething, and my usual hourly Twitter check-ins. This app to me has become a game itself and a quite tedious one at that. Yes, I have been working hard in all my classes this semester, but there is no denying that there are times I should have been studying or doing work but I chose to do other things. Yet another game within my daily life, to do work or to be with my friends. This leads me to my final though is it really just this course that's all about games, or is every course here that has something to do with gaming, or playing games?

5 comments:

  1. I think every course does essentially have a gaming aspect to it! I find myself calculating near the end of the semester, when I'm starting to get burned out, "what do I have to get on this next exam to get an A in the class, and how much slacking off can I do?" It's definitely a form of strategy. And I totally get the whole "should I go out tonight or stay home and do my homework? When can I find time to write my paper in this busy schedule? Can I sacrifice study time for other classes to succeed in this particular one?" Exam time is just one big game of juggling time, sleep, and your social life. Here's to wishing you good luck with the rest of your semester and that you win the game--summer is SO close!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree that grades in this sense are a type of game. At the end of the semester I am always trying to calculate what the lowest possible grade I can get on a final is to still get the grade I want overall. This iPhone app sounds like a great way to "cheat the system", as it calculates the grade for you. I no longer would need to do the math myself to figure out my grade. This app would do it all for me! I cannot wait to go download it and play around to see the different grades I need to get on the rest of my assignments for the semester! Along with this idea of having an application to tell you grades, I already have an application which I put all my class assignments in, so I know what work I need to do at what time. I use the "Reminders" app for this. It helps me to easily keep track of all my assignments, so I do not need to do so myself anymore. However, lately I have become so reliant on my phone, that I have a fear that I will feel like I lose my life if my phone ever gets lost or breaks. Therefore, I make sure to keep a backup of my phone on my computer and on iCloud. I also still keep an assignment notebook for all of my assignments, but since I ALWAYS have my phone with me, I consistently rely on my phone to help remind me what needs to get done. --Alexa Levitz

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have this "Grades 2 App" as well! This App provides me a chance to keep updated with my grades all semester, so I don't feel like I have to do all the tedious calculations at the end. Similar to Alexa, I also feel like I now rely on my phone for everything- so definitely back up with iCloud if even your grades are on your phone too! Classes are a game in many ways because we have to time manage and also figure out exactly what we need to do to get an "A" in the class. UC 256 especially is a game in this way because we even have this intimidating spreadsheet that we can "play" around with to see if we have an "A" or not. UC 256 also utilizes this time management game because we have to decide which assignments to complete or not to complete. Is the time worth it to post the blog post for a maximum of 100 points or should I be working on minor quest 3? I guess time will tell....

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad this app exists -- and that you are taking advantage of it. Although we instructors find students' obsession with grades depressing, it's totally understandable -- those pesky parents! -- and it's great that students take the initiative to strategize. Unfortunately, it's clear to me that not all students do this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This app is amazing. I know I personally am always trying to calculate my grades in my phone. Not being that good at math, I am constantly having to start over, re do it, and then most likely...my grade still isn't right. This app is a really great way to stay on top of your grades and know what you need to get in order to get the specific grade you hope for. Like you said, it definitely is a game. We all are continually playing this game with ourselves and whether or not we say it out loud...we challenge ourselves. This is definitely a cheat sheet to this game.

    ReplyDelete