Video Games in schools

There is an interesting article by a man named James Gee titled “Semiotic Domains Is Playing Video Games A ‘Waste of Time’.  In this article Gee discusses how video games are just another form of literacy and have a broader impact than people realize.  For example Gee mentions in his article that those who become skilled at problem solving in video games could eventually take that ability and apply it in a science lab.  He says that there are really two ways that people play video games.  Firstly there are those who simply play through repetition and sheer tenacity not really apply any thought to the problems that a particular part of a game may present.  However, there are also those who look at video games subconsciously as a learning experience.  People who will constantly try new strategies and come at problems from an unexpected side.  These people are demonstrating their ability to problem solve and will be able to bring this ability to bear in other aspects of their lives.
Another aspect that Gee looks at is that playing video games is a valuable way to communicate.  There are entire websites devoted to games that people will go on and blog, post, write reviews for, etc.  According to Gee video games create an “affinity group”.  That is video games offer a way for people with similar interests ,in this case video games, the opportunity to socialize.  The game forms the basis for the discussion.  This initial interaction can eventually lead to all manner of communications.  As discussions of the game continue a true relationship might form between the members of the group.
How then do you apply this to teaching?  I can remember a time in elementary school when we ,the students, got to play a game called “Oregon Trail’.  This was a very fun game where you had to control a caravan as they traveled westward in the early days of the westward expansion of the United States.  Looking back I realize why the teachers let us “waste time” playing a game in school.  We were in charge of the caravan’s finances.  This helped us hone not only our math skills but our ability to handle money.  Also it was very difficult to beat the game if most of your caravan members died.  We were forced to think about how our choices would affect the entire caravan.  This shows that video games can be used in a classroom but must be done so with a clear goal in mind.  Letting students play a game like Fallout 3 in which you must survive a post apocalyptic world would be fun but would not really help the students.  Games like Oregon Trail offer a way to allow students to have fun while unconsciously learning valuable lessons.