entertainment

Gaming - Virtual Super Tool


Games! They are becoming more popular, more accessible and in more varieties than ever before. We have computers, phones, game boys and video games, all getting smaller and easier to bring with us anywhere we go. Games played on machines and screens are loved by many, but not everyone is so sure about the many benefits gaming has.

There has been a lot of talk about the violence and imagery in modern games as a problem when played by children, but something we talk way to little about is the positive aspects of playing games.


EDUCATING WITH GAMES

A recent study from the Education Development Center (U.S) shows that children between 4 and 5 that had used digital media had improved their skill in letter recognition, association and better understanding of stories and print. Preschool teachers also claim that a child that has seen videos and played video games are better prepared for success in kindergarten than children from low-income families without access to computers or games. 

What we see in general with children and game playing is an improvement in social and practical skills. For example, playing games like World of Warcraft and League of Legends teaches children(and teens) personal responsibility, how to work as a team toward a common goal and promoting teamwork to complete a task.

Game based training programs are becoming a popular and efficient way to train college and university pupils in various subjects too. Medical students use virtual operation programs to practice before taking on real patients and pilots always use a computer program to get the feel for flying before getting into a actual plane. These are only two of many ways to educate with digital media!

Students that play games are in general better at test taking and get higher scores. A good example is the 3D virtual simulation of the American/Canadian boarder that was used by college students, where they took the role as guard. Their test scores improved from 56% to 95%, and that is a HUGE difference!


GOOD FOR YOU?

Games put you in situations and offer challenges you might not usually get yourself into (or want to get into in real life). That could be anything from building a house to caring for a whole civilisation, or shooting hiding creatures in the dark forest. No matter what it is, you are learning and strengthening neuron connections while taking actions and figuring out how to keep moving forward, and the more we do something, the better we get. 

Game players perform 10 to 20% better while being tested in cognitive and perceptual abilitys than non-players. Gaming also improves your ability to solve problems, make split-second decisions and improves hand and eye coordination.

It seems like gaming offers you the full learning package, teaching you how to act, think, make decisions, take actions and work with others. The best thing is that there are games for everyone, from birth until you die.

Article from American Psycologhy Assosiation - Article from Psychology Today

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