http://www.switched.com/2010/08/23/valves-portal-now-mandatory-reading-for-college-freshmen/
The article discusses Wabash University's required reading for incoming freshman. The reading is required for a mandatory class and is used to introduce the freshman to college life, perspectives, and perceptions. The class requires that all students "read" the first person puzzler Portal and couple it with Ervin Goffman's "Presentation of Self in Everyday Life".
The article also makes suggestions for other games that should be incorporated into the classroom however, I fail to see how Grand Theft Auto and Fallout 3 are essential to college students' curriculum. They may raise moral and ethical questions but to require them in a classroom setting isn't the necessary.
The good thing about the article is that universities are accepting video games as a legitimate art form and educational tool. As we have discussed in the DAS classes Second Life and other virtual worlds have become a popular way to reach students and utilize unconventional teaching techniques. I think this is a trend that will only increase with time as the current generation of youth grow up with and expand upon these platforms.
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