T3W4 - Writing - Distance learning

Are video games good for learning at school?

 

I can feel the eye-rolls of some parents out there when ‘video games’ are mentioned but when the words ‘learning’ and ‘school’ are used in the same sentence I can also feel their disbelief. Fear not as I will tell you why video games are proven to be good tools for learning at school.

Some studies show that just an hour a week of playing video games can benefit a child’s development. But first let’s start with the obvious. When kids hear the words “video games” their brain immediately starts to fizz with excitement and staight away you have their full attention and they are completely engaged from the get go. Some parents say that’s half the battle. I say that’s a successful beginning towards achieving. 

Now that we have your child’s attention, let’s achieve some learning. There are tonnes of puzzle games out there and chances are you’ve played one called Candy Crush or similar. But did you know that games like this involving strategy, encourage players to consider their decisions and focus on remembering the games mechanics promoting problem solving and memory strength. Other games need quick reaction and decision making and can require players to read, think and act according to the game and develop their concentration skills. Multiplayer games stimulate team building, communication and co-operation. You can take on the role of a leader and learn how to manage a team or negotiate ways to win as part of a group. Either way, the shared experience is a great way to collaborate and learn from each other to build confidence.

What about their physical health? Video games these days are more than just a controller paired to a screen. There are sensor technology that allow interactive activity like Ninetendo Wii Sports and Xbox Kinect that use the players bodies as the controller. Augemented Reallity games can be more physical than ever before and children can escape the classroom for a bit and step into the world of discovery through headsets. 

That is why I believe that the benefits of using video games as a learning tool at school outweigh the bad especially when closely monitored by teachers. I also agree with Dr Pujol when he said that “video gaming per se is neither good nor bad but its level of use makes it so.”