What are people saying about Lava Flow-The Anger Management Game
I’ve developed an anger management game to teach ways to manage anger. Do you think online games are an effective teaching tool?
http://www.daybreakservices.com/games/lava/index.html
From:Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Anita Avedian, M.S., MFT
Owner, ABC Centers for Self-Improvement &Marriage and Family Therapist
Greater Los Angeles Area
Current: CEO at ABC Centers for Self-Improvement
Owner at Anita Avedian- Private Practice
It sounds very interesting. I would like to see it.
I disagree with the premise of this “managing anger” trend … itsn’t it just like AA in stopping alcoholics from drinking?
On the BLOG that I started called, SINGULARITY MIX, at: http://xvr-network.vox.com/ I to build a group of participants who will focus on gaining less behavioural solutions from insight into the cause rather than the symptoms.
I would like for you to join.
Also, if you can think of any polls that you would like, I will have polling capability …
Thank you for your comment. I like finding this kind of topic because there is a direct affect from well-being of individuals to organizational performance and capability.
From:Daniel Jatovsky close
Daniel Jatovsky
District Leader at Primerica Financial Services and Owner, David Gordon Productions
Greater New York City Area
Current: District Leader at Primerica
Bookkeeper at JCC on the Palisades
Owner at David Gordon Productions (Sole Proprietorship)
Past: Co-owner at Cut Time Video
Sales and accounting at DVB
Editor at Bert Brown and Associates (Sole Proprietorship)
Conceptually, I would say that online games offer an excellent teaching opportunity, since at the core they are based on the concept of reward and punishment. Do the right things, you are rewarded (by being promoted to the next, receiving extra powers, etc.). Do the wrong things, you are punished (game over).
I’m not an expert in this area, so I don’t know what research exists that a game could teach positive behavior, but there seems to be plenty of research on games encouraging negative behavior (as in violence), so it sounds interesting to me.
Stephen Booth
Alone, no. Certainly as part of an overall blended training programme I think they could be effective.
Stephen
Sheilah Etheridge
I think it may be enough to get “some” people thinking, but an online game isn’t enough to change behavior.
Sheilah
Alice de Sturler
I am going to look at it later on but am very interested and yes, online games are effective teaching tools IF they have been properly prepared.
Thanks for this, Alice
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Hi Shannon,
I think it’s an interesting idea. You did not mention if this is part of a larger program. By itself, I don’t think it would be as effective as it would be as part of a comprehensive program where there is group process with a facilitator where clients could discuss particular situations that are challenging to them, get feedback from their peers as well as from the facilitator, do role plays, and learn new skills. Also, if a client tends to dissociate when s/he is angry, as many clients with anger management problems do, the game might not be good for her/him. I’d like to hear more about it. Good luck with the game.
All the best,
Josephine Ferraro, LCSW
Sherri Dohemann
Shannon,
I think a lot of institutions and individuals are looking at online games as teaching tools-especially within the framework of generation Y. The Robert Wood Foundation was recently seeking entries for a contest for exactly what you are describing under their pioneer/innovations section. Anyone can sign up to receive their notices and calls for contests and funding.
Eileen Bonfiglio
I think it’s a great idea! Games are a great communicating tool, would be nice to see examples or behavior in the game to be able to identify them..Didn’t say it would be easy, just nice 
Eileen
Rhoberta Shaler, PhD
I’m very interested in your new game as I offer anger management seminars to corporate and military groups. I don’t think the generic question you ask is as important as the value received from your game. Is that URL you offered an example of the quiz, or, the entire thing?
Mykel de Willigen
Potentially effective, if and only if they’re acccompanied by further guidance. (did they cheat, do they practice what they’ve learned, how’s their change perceived by the “victims”?)
Keith Moody
Not necessarily – in principle though games in themselves can be effective – online games can end up being no different from any other computer game – i.e. run the very high risk of becoming addictive and resulting in aggressive/compulsive behaviour…hardly helpful in managing anger…unless there is a very strict limit to the amount of times the game can be played (through using a cookie system). I have seen enough of this type of behaviour as a result of ‘computer/online games’ to last me a lifetime – hence the cautionary note…
Ryan Turner
Along with Sheri, I strongly encourage others to visit the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Changemakers “open source” competition on serious gaming and health and healthcare called “Why Games Matter: A Prescription for Improving Health and Health Care”. Launched this past July, it closes Sep. 26.
Placing an emphasis on creativity and ideas over technical prowess, this opportunity to propose and peer review other exciting efforts should be worthwhile for everyone in this arena.
Daybreak Counseling Service
www.daybreakservices.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/angryinla
http://myspace.com/angermanagementeacher
310-995-1202
