Can Computer Games Be Educational?Educational Testing ServicesUpdated on Dec 13, 2018 View more like this | Visit CALIFORNIA, PA | Contact Ashley Routis |
Computer games are quite often viewed as a way to procrastinate. Most parents are convinced that playing computer games has a negative impact on their child. Thus, such activities are either limited or not allowed at all. Yet, there is another point of view: what if computer games are actually educational? Is there a way to benefit from playing computer games? Let’s find out.
Here are the main ways in which games can help children do better at school:
1. Gaming is a social activity. Most gamers play with their friends. What is more, playing in teams is aimed at achieving certain goals which obviously develops the skill of working in a team, not to mention the fact that achieving a goal presupposes having a common understanding of what you need to do. Thus, playing together helps to develop social skills as well.
2. Reading comprehension and critical thinking can be improved with the help of computer games. Taking into consideration the fact that these days kids are born in the era of rapid internet development, it is vital to adjust studying methods to the time we live in. Making students more engaged with the studying process is possible with the help of video games. One of the biggest advantages of a computer game is that it allows a person to put themselves in the shoes of a character they are playing. This technique can be used in the classroom as well.
3. Video games help to develop new technical skills. What is more, it is a great way to get kids interested in technology which may later on influence their career choices.
4. Computer games are full of moral and ethical complications. Thus, it helps children learn right from wrong. Besides, teaching empathy is the hardest thing to do which is the reason why doing it indirectly may bring a lot of positive results.
The most significant aspect to keep in mind in regards to the possibility of computer games to become educational is that new technologies should be included in the studying process. This way, it will be easier to develop more games that are oriented at teaching kids and developing their skills.
1. Gaming is a social activity. Most gamers play with their friends. What is more, playing in teams is aimed at achieving certain goals which obviously develops the skill of working in a team, not to mention the fact that achieving a goal presupposes having a common understanding of what you need to do. Thus, playing together helps to develop social skills as well.
2. Reading comprehension and critical thinking can be improved with the help of computer games. Taking into consideration the fact that these days kids are born in the era of rapid internet development, it is vital to adjust studying methods to the time we live in. Making students more engaged with the studying process is possible with the help of video games. One of the biggest advantages of a computer game is that it allows a person to put themselves in the shoes of a character they are playing. This technique can be used in the classroom as well.
3. Video games help to develop new technical skills. What is more, it is a great way to get kids interested in technology which may later on influence their career choices.
4. Computer games are full of moral and ethical complications. Thus, it helps children learn right from wrong. Besides, teaching empathy is the hardest thing to do which is the reason why doing it indirectly may bring a lot of positive results.
The most significant aspect to keep in mind in regards to the possibility of computer games to become educational is that new technologies should be included in the studying process. This way, it will be easier to develop more games that are oriented at teaching kids and developing their skills.
