Re: {LibGaming} Open gaming sessions

[Kat Werner]

I just tell the kids to share the controllers and games.  If I find out that they are not sharing (usually when someone complains that they are unable to play) I go over there and fix the situation.  It really works well and the kids are usually pretty fair.

 

Kat Werner
Benton Harbor Public Library
213 E. Wall St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
bhlibr...@yahoo.com
check us out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bhlibraryteen

----- Original Message ----
From: Erwin <emag...@yahoo.com>
To: LibGaming <LibG...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 8:01:41 PM
Subject: {LibGaming} Open gaming sessions


For those who do open gaming sessions, how do you conduct them? Do you
give everyone a set amount of time? Do you have them sign up
beforehand? How do you make it fair so that all have a chance to play
and no one's hogging play time?

Thanks!

[Beth Gallaway]

I find older teens usually self manage very well if you tell them to pass the controller after their turn. You can always leave a sign up list at each console and let them self monitor the sheet.

For middle schoolers, I have them make a line behind each pad/controller. I ask them to pass the controller to the person behind them/next in line after every turn (match, song, round, race). I also suggest at the end of each turn, they go to the OPPOSITE line. That way, everyone has a chance to be player one and control the options, like the song, or get a chance to serve, like in Wii tennis.

For younger kids, I might actually use a list and call them by name. I think I have interceded twice in a year to ask kids to please move on so the next person can have a turn.

Today I tried something new - the point was for kids to try something new, so when we played Wii Sports, they switched after every frame in tennis, and every "death" in Pac-Man. We also played Mario Kart (4-player) and DDR. I only had one screen,and 14 kids aged 8-12, so moving them along quickly was a priority.

Usually, I have to remind participants to keep their hands (and feet) to themselves. Yesterday was the first time I had a child get upset at losing, drop the guitar to the floor, and burst into tears. Apparently he felt one of the other kids in line was making fun of him for doing poorly. I'd say turn taking is much less of an issue than being kind to one another, or knowing the difference between smack talking and being hurtful.

Beth

--
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
___
{o,o}
|)__)
-"-"-
Beth Gallaway, Library Trainer / Consultant
504 Ocean Blvd #1 Hampton NH 03842
informatio...@gmail.com
website: http://informationgoddess.info
cell/text: 603.247.3196
AOL IM: rimeswith0range
Skype: informationgoddess29
Second Life: Cerulean Vesperia
Twitter: infogdss29
Wii: 8757 0699 3605 2965

[Diane Kurtz]

When I was at the branch and doing open gaming, we found the kids to self regulate with little or no interference from us. If there seemed to be a problem developing, I (or one of the other staff members) would go to "watch the fun". We did not have to say much more than "has everybody had a turn?" to give the hint.Open gaming during vacation days would usually draw 20+ kids and after hours programs usually had 30-35.

One of the best success stories for us was a young man (13-14 now) who had always been a loner, very introverted, not one of the "gang". He shines at Guitar Hero and Rock Band and has the others cheering for him. It turned him into a totally different young man with friends, a smile on his face and being part of the crowd.

 

Diane (formerly at Bridgeport Public Library, now at Stratford Library Association, CT)

[kellie]

I always stay in the room with the kids. Not necessarily because
they're bad (they're great!), but because my boss doesn't want them in
a secluded area of the library by themselves. Our meeting room is out
of any sightlines of the desk and there is an exit directly to the
outside of the building from the room. I think that our kids would
probably self-regulate, but I do find that I need to step in at least
once or twice during the session.

I started out with a sign up sheet that just said player 1 and player
2. It really helped me because I wasn't sure how to run the session
and it let me learn people's names. It's also nice for things like
Guitar Hero and DDR because usually someone wants to challenge a
friend or something. Now that I know the kids better, I don't use the
sign up sheet as much unless we get tons of new kids.

We do have a couple of rambunctious kids, but usually the threat of
not being able to play anymore calms them down. I've never had to
throw someone out for the whole time period, but I have sent kids out
to do a couple of laps around the library (outside, of course!).

I will say that a huge benefit of me hanging out is that I've been
able to really get to know them and, um, play. I have some kids that
are super shy and will only play the games if I'm player 2. Others
like the bragging rights of beating the librarian. Like others have
stated, there's something really amazing about how gaming can get kids
to talk to eachother who normally wouldn't.

Hope this helps,
Kellie

[Beth Gallaway]

I think building relationships with the kids is another good reason to stay. Kellie, your point about it being a way to learn names is excellent.  I require the presence of a librarian on duty when I bring my stuff out, and really have to encourage them sometimes to TALK to the kids, or ask a question, or try a game themselves.


Beth