Wii Learn!

[Tev]

Honstly I flipped a coin over where to put this. Landed on heads so here we are.

Nintendo is looking to get its products into the school system as learning tools.

Could Nintendo's Mario be swapping his world of magic mushrooms and ravenous dinosaurs for the staid confines of the classroom?

The man behind the massively popular video game franchise thinks so, saying he's working hard to turn Nintendo Co.'s brand of handheld consoles into educational aids and teaching tools.

"That is maybe the area where I am devoting myself (the) most," Japanese video game guru Shigeru Miyamoto told The Associated Press in an interview.

Speaking through a translator, Miyamoto said that Nintendo's DS console was already being used in Japanese museums, galleries, and aquariums, and that his company was beginning to roll out the Nintendo DS system "in junior high and elementary schools in Japan starting in the new school year."

He framed the project as part of his company's effort to broaden the audience for gaming consoles.

Miyamoto's design credits include "Super Mario Bros.," "Legend of Zelda," and "Donkey Kong." He also played a pivotal role in designing Nintendo's popular new motion-sensitive console, the Wii, which has consistently outsold rivals by attracting nontraditional gamers such as women and seniors.

But the 57-year-old was cagey when asked about his competitors, saying only that he was "honored" that others — including Sony, which has just recently unveiled its PlayStation Move — were following suit with motion-sensitive controllers.

He also declined to go into detail when asked what was in store for the best-selling Wii, saying only that "new technologies are always emerging." He did note that Nintendo was hoping to increase the number of Wii users connecting their console to the Internet.

Sounds like fun times if you ask me.

[Azisien]

The Wii is already a nicer interactive system than the Smartboard that the Ontario school system is spending oodles on getting it into various classrooms.

I love the DS for its "My _________ Coach" series, I wish there were more of those. There's definitely educational potential to be had.


One problem with the Wii in the class is the lack of a reliably large and accessible screen for classrooms. I don't think the school boards can afford a 50" LCD screen in each class. And it simply won't do on the little 25" portable TVs either.

[Green Spanner]

Personally, I'm holding out for Wii Jammin'.

[Loyal]

Originally Posted by Azisien

The Wii is already a nicer interactive system than the SmartboardOne problem with the Wii in the class is the lack of a reliably large and accessible screen for classrooms. I don't think the school boards can afford a 50" LCD screen in each class. And it simply won't do on the little 25" portable TVs either.

It shouldn't be terribly difficult for Nintendo to make adapters so that one can hook the Wii's I/O cables up to a simple projector.

[Azisien]

Originally Posted by Loyal

It shouldn't be terribly difficult for Nintendo to make adapters so that one can hook the Wii's I/O cables up to a simple projector.

That would be nice actually. Though, "simple" projectors run around $800 so it's still a big investment.

The hardware side is totally doable though. The crux is something that uses the hardware for something purposeful in the classroom. Particularly something purposeful that can't just be done for much cheaper. Like I said, I think the "My ___________ Coach" stuff is amazing and more of that, in more genres and ability levels, would be fantastic.

[Tev]

Yeah but a lot of classrooms now have those kinds of technology upgrades already.

[Krylo]

It says "Handheld" consoles... so... wouldn't this be "DS Learn!"?

[Tev]

Yeah but Wii Learn was more fun to say.

EDIT: Plus you can tell who actually read the article and who didn't. Bonus points to you.

[Borealis]

My school actually has the PS3 for the earlier years. Thing is? Their grades are slipping. Badly. I can't say it's the fault of the consoles, but y'know.