Ethics, Videogames & Virtual Reality [P4C Philosophy Lesson - Philosophy Teaching Resource]

This ‘Fun Philosophy Lesson’ is focused on philosophical and ethical issues that relate to gaming, online gaming, video-game addiction, and Virtual Reality

This interactive multi-use learning session is useful as a part of your schools PSHE/SMSC provision and is of particular interest to teachers of ICT/Computer Science and Design & Technology; it focuses on a wide range of topics such as:

• How should we behave when using online games?
• How can we identify and minimise “gaming addiction”?
• What are the benefits of gaming for individuals and society?
• How will VR technologies impact society moving forward?
• Do violent games promote violent behaviours?
    
  We’ve aimed to cover as many bases as possible when it comes to finding engaging philosophical and ethical issues for young learners to debate and discuss!

The big question asked in this session is “What is the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship to gaming?”. Using a variety of engaging activities students will discuss and debate a wide range of other philosophical and ethical questions such as:

• If you were a parent, would you encourage or discourage engagement with videogames in your household?

• Would it be sensible to spend one’s life entirely in virtual reality if that virtual world was a perfect one?

• What are some signs that we are spending too much of our time playing videogames?

• Can virtual reality be used for educational purposes?

• Why does gaming seem to be more popular with boys than girls?
   
  Students will also analyse and evaluate an eclectic mix of philosophical and ethical claims such as:

• “Video games should be considered a form of art, just like movies and music.”

• “Videogames can produce real benefits for people”

• “Video games are responsible for decreased physical activity and rising obesity rates.”

• “In video-games: the characters we kill should be male and female in equal numbers”
   
  This session uses our unique format for philosophy teaching resources and features an integrated menu that allows teachers to select from a variety of starter, main, plenary, assessment and end-of-lesson reflection activities. With a massive selection of activities designed to trigger philosophical discussions, debates and reflections: you can re-use the resource numerous times with the same group. For teachers wishing to run ‘P4C’ (Philosophy for Children) sessions these resources are ideal!

The file is a PowerPoint Show: no planning or preparation is required, just run the file and the intuitive menu system will make delivering a powerful philosophy session very easy!