A study associating playing video games with enhanced laparoscopic surgery is the tip of the iceberg on the hot topic of the positive effects of video games.
According to Mitchell Wade, co-author of The Kids are Alright: How the Gamer Generation is Changing the Workplace, “When you see studies that show surgeons or pilots improve their skills in the real world by using computer-based simulations, also known as games, you see the line between the real and the unreal is fuzzy. ” Wade conducted extensive research on the effects of video games and their uses in the real world.
Voluntary learning environment
Video games are a great place for children to voluntarily participate in global interaction. With the fun that games provide, children are not even aware that games really help develop team spirit, cooperation, and encourage risk-taking in a risk-free environment. They quickly earn rewards in the form of virtual prizes when they complete a certain task and discover, through repeated trial and error, that it is okay to make mistakes.
Wade found that the lessons learned become more important than the images shown. Writing gender on videos and even violence and sex on graphics are less powerful than lessons on teamwork, success and failure. Mitchell’s study also revealed that four-fifths of young adults played video games growing up. He says, “Part of growing up is ‘normalizing’ your peer group, and those who didn’t play video games have a harder time bonding because they lack common experiences.”
Investigative learning
John Black, a professor at Teacher’s College of Columbia University, said he has seen children grow in learning when they can manipulate variables or events. An example of this is Civilization, where players can change historical facts and see how it would have impacted the world. These types of games stimulate students’ interest in history. Changes, such as Spaniards not introducing horses to Native Americans, can have many consequences, no matter how simple that event in history is.
Games provide learning from experiences rather than lectures. Games allow players to explore options and discover certain outcomes. They join the data and learn as they investigate more possibilities.
Uses in the real world
Today, Ganes continues to change and mimic reality more, and is being used to enhance actual abilities. The new wave of Wii games involves physical bodies in what is called “augmented reality games.” Wii sells better, even with cartoon graphics, than games from other companies that use state-of-the-art graphics.
Computer simulated roller coasters in arcade rooms allow gamers to experience and overcome fears without having to ride a real roller coaster. They can program simple loops or dangerous emotions and rolls.
The military has also optimized games like Flight Simulator, to aid hand-eye coordination in pilot training. The CIA and the Army provide games to personnel to train agents and prepare soldiers for real wargame experiences.
Doctors who work with young pain patients encourage video playback because it helps block pain without medication. When children engage in something stimulating, they don’t think about pain.
How much playing time is enough?
A laparoscopic surgery study showed improvement with just three hours of weekly play, anything beyond that can cause problems. In Korea, due to sitting in the same position for many hours, some players developed a deep vein thrombosis that caused blood clots in their legs. Children need physical activity.
Wade found that games happen in waves. Children can spend hours shooting baskets to improve a skill and then lose interest once they master it. Children can also spend hours gaining mastery of the computer and then moving on to another activity.
Interact with your sons and daughters to find out what interests them in a game, what lessons they learn, and control the time they spend playing. Play some games with your children and promote breaks that make your children physically move and interact in real environments.