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College credit for playing Wii Sports? How kraaaazy! photo

Contrary to the title of this post, a health and wellness college course at the University of Houston utilizing the uber popular Wii Sports and Wii Fit to better motivate and entertain its students isn't really so crazy that I needed to spell the word incorrectly.

Yes sir, this is something that's been done time and time again, but you know what? I have a soft spot for these things. Let's face it, these classes can be painfully dull even for those who enjoy a solid workout, and sure, UH's "Wii Performance" class will still retain typical lectures on health, nutrition, and the like.

But it's also got Dance Dance Revolution. Truly there is no competing with that. The way I see it, the more we bring up and make a big deal out of these "videogames get integrated into school" stories, the more people take notice, which means it becomes even more widespread.

Having games being put in a positive light is a good thing, folks! Then comes the ????, and finally, the sweet, sweet profit.








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Jordan Devore is Destructoid's PC gaming manager and founding ginger editor. He is said to be easy to love but difficult to know. When Samit inquired about his curious bio photo Jordan simply replied: "bitches love sandcastles" ... yet, there is no sandcastle in that photo. We may never truly understand his ways. Likes Platformers, Pixel-based graphics, Stickerbrush Symphony, Pokemon, Leaderboards Meet the rest of the team



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12 comments | showing # 1 to 12
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thenooby1's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 00:00
thenooby1
OH HELLLZ YEAH
Aberrant Thought's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 00:05
Aberrant Thought
Well, as you said, this is NOT the first time videogames have been used for fitness. I quite fondly remember when my high school made dog runs from the zombie dogs found in Resident Evil. To this day I am glad I tripped that Richie fucker and got away. Ah, better days those were.
BananaCombOver's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 00:35
BananaCombOver
Maybe this will turn into a trend. First with Guitar Hero Course being taught and now this. I wouldn't be too surprised if more schools starting using video games as a means of education and...well profit.
heribertosellers's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 00:47
heribertosellers
If they need games to motivate students then I think they really need to take a look at the course.
Solo707's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 01:42
Solo707
Why is that picture creepy?
goliathonline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 01:48
goliathonline
I go to UH. They were talking about this on the radio last week. It's apparently an actual course that offers credit hours.

I can only imagine who awkward that class must be.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 03:23
Darren Nakamura
I support you, Grim, in your endeavor to highlight the good news about video games in the mainstream.
GorillaBiscuits's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 06:58
GorillaBiscuits
Yes. Why is this picture creepy on so many levels? Because I'm sure what you have to say will be much more interesting than this useless article.
TheDreadHawk's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 11:13
TheDreadHawk
"Then comes the ????, and finally, the sweet, sweet profit."

I see what you did there.
alupiniii's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 12:31
alupiniii
Please stop using the phrase "students will get credit for ..." in these types of articles. The course isn't about the Wii; it's about fitness and nutrition. This was the problem with the general reporting on the guitar hero issue at NYU (as well as destructoid's reporting of the issue).

I’m a teacher. I occasionally use video clips to illustrate a concept. Does this mean that students are getting credit for watching video clips? No. Students are getting credit for completing the class and one of my teaching tools in the class is a short video clip. Jordan, I think you do a better job of reporting on this, but the root issue remains: Don’t confuse ends and means.

The problem is that when a story pops up like this it actually doesn’t portray games in a positive light. The popular press is playing a standard line: students are paying way too much for silly classes. Video games are pulled into the mix and don’t come off looking any better.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 13:36
Holyetheline
ENDS AND MEANS ARE CONFUSED?! What the hell is going on in here?
kquaker's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/10/2009 13:37
kquaker
Hell yes. I am so going to try and get credits for this. At least I'm battling obesity, sort of. First I have to get wii fit though for the wii I just got here: http://www.gamesncs.com/rd_p?p=191614&t=9528&a=3679-sWii&gift=3679
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