Fantasy Football: Interactive AND Interdisciplinary?
This entry was written in response to the Research Blogging Assignment for Stanford's Fall 2008 Cultural Interfaces class. For more about this assignment, click here. You can leave a comment on this post by clicking on the "comment" link below.
It goes without saying that the digital age is in full effect right now. Everything important, or so it seems, either is dominated by or comprised of digital/electronic counterparts. For example, college students have the option to submit their applications online or by mail. Voters can use touch screens or punch ballots, and the list continues. However, when talking about fantasy football, a game designed by Wilfred Winkenbach in 1962 with no digital aspect whatsoever, any subtle changes to the game are worth noting, especially when it is transformed into an online phenomenon. One of the most interesting section of information I have discovered thus far comes from Gerhard Falk's "Football and American Identity". Although fantasy football itself does not dominate the book (actual American Football does), Falk does a great job of linking his ideas on fantasy football to his larger message. As I perused the text looking for helpful information, something caught my eye. Falk, in describing how fantasy football went from an annoying "fill in and mail your picks" nuisance to a phenomenon online, also mentions that certain schools in Sacramento are trying to force fantasy football into their curriculums. Their reasoning, he explains, is that it could serve as motivation, especially when paired with mathematics courses.
Not only was this a complete surprise, but it also did not seem like the most beneficial idea, especially with respect to practical student learning. Nonetheless, for the scope of this research paper, it serves as fodder. Considering the central argument (of both my paper and this class) on identity formation via digital media, the fusion of school and digital fantasy football (at least the mere thought of it) is extremely relevant. Consider a classroom environment where students are actively utilizing the system of fantasy football (scores, strategies, forecasts) in math classes to help themselves along. It goes without saying that the power of fantasy football lies within its ability to transform a once boring math class into something that students might get excited about. So maybe attendance in certain classes might increase. However, my initial stance still applies. Higher level math classes, successful ones at least, simply do not have room for supplemental classroom activities.
Comments
Wow -- I'm was as surprised as you were, initially, to learn that Fantasy Football has made its way into school curricula. But, upon further reflection, maybe I'm not. Second Life, Facebook, IM, Google -- although these popular online phenomenon are being increasingly brought into the classroom, whether to try to interest a tech-savvy student body in academics, to employ current technologies in an effective way, or even just perhaps to colonize popular media. That doesn't necessarily mean that integrating such media will be pedagogically EFFECTIVE. I remember talking to several students who were mandating to participate in IHUM's Second Life section. They were very resistant to it, feeling that it was just an unnecessary complication in an attempt at seeming 'hip.' Now, when the SL section became OPTIONAL, the student tone about it changed. So I guess my point is that simply incorporating digital communities into class, doesn't mean it will work, though clearly there is some potential there. That's my two cents from an instructor's perspective.
Posted by: Christine Alfano, Stanford Instructor | October 27, 2008 01:27 PM
I am not greatly opposed to the use of common numbers or something that can be made simply for students to learn.
Posted by: Colin Waters | November 26, 2008 04:06 PM
Gee, I just hope this doesn't interfere with the education and learning abilities of people. How many man-hours are wasted each day in business in the US? And at what cost? Kinda makes you thinkl, doesn't it?
Posted by: Sacramento Locksmith | May 12, 2009 06:43 PM
Interesting Article...
Got this football gift as a weekly prize at one of the fantasy pools I belong too. Thought it was pretty cool
Posted by: Bill - Football Gifts | September 14, 2009 07:17 AM
now everything can be done instantly.we can do anything and every where .tecnologi more advanced and everything can be ruled out happen.like as football game in online.very interesting course! hopefully someone can make it happen
Posted by: jopi | October 20, 2009 03:08 AM