Essay on The Educational Benefits of Video Games

In today’s society video games have a large influence on people. We also might be driven to the point of where we are dependent on them. In fact, being so engulfed in video games could help children become more focused.In fact, parents would probably disagree and say that video games wouldn’t be essential to learning because it would probably be considered a waste of time for children and time-consuming. Parents would also disagree with the content of what is in the game, but there is a great possibility that video games could actually make us smarter. Steven Johnson explains that the games we are used to playing can improve our visual intelligence and that it would be good to learn new strategies through gaming. Video games should be an

Do you remember the first time you played a video game? Was it Super Mario Brothers, Call of Duty, or Minesweeper? How about the time your parents told you that video games will rot your brain? Well forget all that, this paper is going to tell you the benefits of playing video games. My claim is that video games can help you with leadership skills, problem solving, education, and cognitive function.

While there are claims that video games are not beneficial, it is quite reasonable to assume they are. Video game-based learning has become prominent in the world of technology. Crocco states that popular video games are “problem-solving adventures that foster engagement, inquiry, and critical thinking.” The inquiry and critical thinking mentioned by Crocco, paired with the engagement of the player, allow for increased proficiency in those areas. Additionally, Bowen insists that games, including violent games, allow for an expansion of child’s learning along with health and social skills. For example, video games enhance one’s problem solving skills, reasoning, memory, and perception. Although learning is often associated with pure knowledge, children are able to learn socially as well. Since the world is becoming increasingly technology-based, it is convenient for children to learn through technology.

Some of the first video games ever made like Pac Man, Mario Bros.,Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter never helped someone learn their ABC’s and 123’s which caused video games to develop a bad name like it’s “rotting kids’ brains” or distract them from more important studies but over time things change and become better and based off this website it says that “A number of recent studies have indicated that video games, even violent ones, can help kids develop essential emotional and intellectual skills that support academic achievement. These findings led many innovative teachers around the globe to recognize the benefits of gaming and include game-based learning in their curricula. However, it’s not just in-school gaming that reaps benefits. New research shows that all gaming can be positive.”

Video games can be useful to the public, teachers, writers, and developers use games in study, design, critique, and for fun. Today’s children learn at a very young age how to work a cell phone and or a tablet. Video games are introduced at an early age as trends move from attempting to incorporate games into the classroom, to developing games that focus on learning. Even snipers are put into virtual games in order to improve their skill.

Everyone enjoys the sweet taste of victory and the feeling of accomplishing a goal, especially in a video game. However, video games are not just about winning. Video games are a good method to enhance our educational experience and create a career pathway for us to take. By creating a video game course within schools around the world, we are able to create a whole new generation and future that incorporates the advanced technology that is constantly improving.

For several decades, video games have been cast aside as detractors of student learning in the classroom. According to the research done by Mifsud, Vella, and Camilleri (2013), there is yet still an abundance of research that needs to be conducted, in order to determine the usefulness of video game application in schools. This research synthesis collects data on several different viewpoints and uses of video games in regards to complementing student engagement and learning. The research of James Gee (2005), hypothesized that good video games use good learning principles, of which there are a several. These learning principles include identity, interaction, production, risk-taking, challenge and consolidation, and system thinking. The specific descriptions of each principle will be dissected throughout this synthesis.

There are many benefits to playing video games. Some parents and/or educators can use video games as a tool to subconsciously teach and reinforce learning methods. Educational games and games that requires skillful thinking are tools that can help academically. Merzenich (2011) explains in his research that games can help with judgement, memory, cognitive thinking, and higher speeds in skill processing. He gives reasoning behind the academic growth of children that are gamers and how they acquire academic success due to the excessive time they spend playing.

This paper will explore the psychological benefits that video games have on individuals based on research conducted online (Internet) and offline (non-Internet) . The research will focus mainly on cognitive , motivational , emotional and social benefits that individuals gain by playing video games. Furthermore it will compare gamers with those that don 't play video games or normal teaching methods and what helps better retain the skills gained. The research conducted is based on console gaming (xbox, playstation, wii) and pc. The research will focus on first person shooters, role playing, racing games.

Although that I hear from my doctor and others that too much video games playing is not good for me, I am not sure that I would totality agree to it. So, can playing one or more video games quite a bit teach me life skills? From my reading of Gerald Graff’s Essay, I feel that I can use academic skills that I have learned to skillfully play in all sorts of games. My innate knowledge of how to play video games can be considered hidden intellectualism because it allows me to use intellectual skills such as perspective, thinking critically, and creativity. My focus on this paper will be about developing several types of life skills such as strategizing, multitasking, teamwork, and patience that comes from playing video games from different genres.

Showing the positive effects with video games on the brain and cognitive function associated with high intensive action games and how they can help to increase motor skills, attentiveness and learning capabilities of those who play video games.

says Gamers must deal with immediate problems while keeping their long-term goals on their horizon. This strategic thinking and complex Video games are goal-driven experiences, which are fundamental to learning. Unlike reading a book, playing a video game is all about active exploration. Video games force your brain to make decisions, says author Steven Johnson. This quick thinking makes your brain on its toes and very active.

Video games can improve visual skills and brain function. Video games increase spatial awareness. When playing different video games eyes are focused on a video game a person are more likely to gain different eye strengths after training the brain. Action video games train the brain to better process certain visual information. When people play action video games, they’re changing the brain’s pathway responsible for visual processing (Masnick 1). Video games change brain functions. Researchers today are reporting that first-person-shooter

I never thought of video games assisting in problem-solving skill development (Bleed, 2005, p. 4) this is a paradigm shift for me. I had not considered the elements of visual literacy as it relates to the broader application of the gaming environment.

Personal computer games also known as the computer games demonstrate the video games which are played on a personal computer rather than an arcade machine or a video game console. The most defining features of these games include a higher degree of user control of the gaming software and hardware, absence of central controlling ability. Another most defining characteristic of the games is the increased capacity for input to the pc, processing and consequently the output. The people playing the computer games are able to interact with objects that are displayed on the computer screen for the purpose of entertainment. The computer games have been classified into different typologies such as skill and action games, role and strategy games, hybrid play among others. There are recent studies about that computer games do not encourage full brain growth and development in children and even translate to some of these children been completely antisocial. However, some people see great potential for educating the players within the field of games and a serious gaming community has sprung up within the years. The game developers have been able to architect experiences and design learner environments.