At the Seder night we read:
The Torah speaks of four children: One is wise, one is wicked, one is simple and one does not know how to ask.
The wise one, what does he say? “What are the testimonies, the statutes and the laws which the L-rd, our G-d, has commanded you?” You, in turn, shall instruct him in the laws of Passover, [up to] ‘one is not to eat any dessert after the Passover-lamb.’”
The wicked one, what does he say? “What is this service to you?!” He says `to you,’ but not to him! By thus excluding himself from the community he has denied that which is fundamental. You, therefore, blunt his teeth and say to him: “It is because of this that the L-rd did for me when I left Egypt”; ‘for me’ – but not for him! If he had been there, he would not have been redeemed!”
The simpleton, what does he say? “What is this?” Thus you shall say to him: “With a strong hand the L-rd took us out of Egypt, from the house of slaves.”
As for the one who does not know how to ask, you must initiate him, as it is said: “You shall tell your child on that day, “It is because of this that the L-rd did for me when I left Egypt.’”
Who hates games? Well, some dislike riddles, others would not play American Football or Golf. Some like chess, others fear those little pawns. Interactive computer games come in many flavors and there is something for everyone. The game designer thinks of four types of gamers: “One is wise, one is wicked, one is simple and one does not know how to ask.”
The Wise One seeks the intellectual challenges – design a game that will make this gamer think, solve problems, learn.
The Wicked One removes himself from being part of the world. Shooting games are just right for this gamer and they can be a vehicle to learn; with time the wicked one may decide to join civilization after the destruction of the virtual world.
Curiosity drives the Simple One: “What is this?” Curiosity is a powerful gaming tool – there is always a next level to unveil, new powers to explore, a new villain to fight. The simple gamer just likes to play. Not too challenging, not too violent, but a lot can be taught as this gamer makes progress to the higher levels of the game.
And what about the one who does not know how to ask? Well, it is for these that we create educational games in the first place!
(Another take on the four sons and website design can be found on the AVI CHAI blog at : http://avichai.org/2011/04/the-torah-speaks-of-four-children/)
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