Tipton High School in Indiana Offers Video Game Lit Class to Engage Students
In a unique and engaging approach to literature, Tipton High School in central Indiana has introduced a semester-long elective course called Video Game Lit. The class combines the study of literature, the history of video games, and of course, gaming itself.
English teacher John Robertson, who grew up during the rise of video games, wanted to create a class that would resonate with high school students and promote storytelling. The class starts with the Atari era, where students play the classic game Pong, and progresses through the 8-bit and 16-bit generations of Nintendo, before exploring modern-day gaming on Xbox, PlayStation, and PCs.
The class focuses on key concepts such as storytelling, narratives, and character development, much like any literature course. However, video games offer a unique and interactive medium to engage students. One popular game the students played was the classic 1987 The Legend of Zelda, where they had to complete the game before the other team, relying solely on teamwork and their intuition. Students were not allowed to look up anything about the game and had to rely on each other for advice, creating an atmosphere of old-school fun reminiscent of a Friday night hangout before the age of Google, cell phones, and online gaming.
“We really dive into a lot of great concepts,” Robertson said. “There’s so much you can pull from.” For example, Super Mario Bros. allows for discussions on gender roles, while The Legend of Zelda introduces the concept of an epic hero.
The class also requires students to give presentations on 8-bit NES games, where they research the game, explain the narrative, play it if possible, and make the case for why it’s the best game of the generation. Students must also highlight what was new or innovative about their chosen game.
The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Ethan Stanley, a senior and avid gamer, said, “It’s a lot more educational than some of my other classes, even my core classes.” Stanley appreciates the way the class is taught and how Robertson engages the students.
Ashley Robinson, who took Robertson’s creative writing class last semester, said, “I like writing, and I knew video game lit would have some writing.” Robinson and her best friend Macy Golden have embraced the idea of video games as a method of storytelling, highlighting how players feel more connected to the characters they play as.
The class not only offers a fun and educational experience for the students but also aims to build relationships between students and their parents or siblings who may have grown up playing the same games. Additionally, the class will take a field trip to an arcade later this semester, providing students with the “whole 90s kid experience,” as Robertson puts it.
Video Game Lit has become a popular and sought-after elective at Tipton High School, demonstrating the power of using video games in the classroom to engage and educate students in a unique way.
Analyst comment
Positive news. The introduction of the Video Game Lit class at Tipton High School in Indiana has received overwhelmingly positive responses from students. It offers a unique and engaging approach to literature and promotes storytelling. The class is expected to continue to be popular and successful, providing a fun and educational experience for students.
