Serious Hobbies

Educators sometimes look to experiences outside of the classroom in order to identify ways in which classrooms might be improved. Such was the case with games. In studying games, these researchers attempt to understand what about games seems to encourage the passion and learning that can be associated with complex games. Some go so far as to believe that skills can be learned from existing games (not necessarily designed to teach traditional subject matter) that are relevant to  academic skills. You hear the phrase “serious games” used quite frequently in reference to this area of research.

Why games? If I were to apply this same logic, I would study hobbies. I know this is already being done with citizen scientists. I have a retired professor friend who studied amateur astronomers on NSF funding so I know that mine is not an original idea.

I think the serious hobby thing needs an  advocate. The first thing I would do would be to make the activity sound more exciting and relevant. I admit the games thing appeals to many, but hobbies also have a long tradition. I think a more descriptive title would be helpful - serious hobbies. I think serious hobbies could give us a better way to expand our educational perspective than serious games.

 I have been attending a rendezvous for several years just because I find the people so interesting. I would have assumed that these folks were history teachers and this vocation encouraged the "live in the woods in less than ideal conditions in the summer" experience as an avocation. From talking to some of the folks this seems not to be the case. Some are retired. Others seem to just find the quest for the “authentic” experience challenging. So you have the blacksmith hobbyist, the baking hobbyist, the black powder marksman hobbyist, etc.

One thought that always occurs to me. How do these folks convince their spouses and children that this is a cool thing to do. Living in these tents without mosquito netting and wearing authentic period costumes would not have appealed to my kids.

clothes.