It’s safe to say everyone has a different opinion about video games. Some love video games, while others think people who play video games are lazy. But did you know that video games can be beneficial in the education process?
Our research team at FinditHealth found that video games can be a great way to harness your imagination and help you learn skills to apply in school. Keep reading to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of video games in the classroom.
Video Games In Education Pros & Cons
Using video games in education as a learning tool can be controversial mainly because computer games have been considered lazy and associated with violent behavior. Still, educators are now exploring the benefits of video games in the engagement and success of students as we approach the fall season and the beginning of school. Studies show that game-based learning can stimulate cognitive development, strengthen your memory, and develop a greater capacity for social interaction.
Educational video games allow students to think as a team rather than independently, and it will enable them to set their minds free as it is a portrayal of the real world. It allows students to learn and become more comfortable taking chances as the outcomes will not directly influence their everyday lives.
Games are different from a traditional classroom setting in that they teach you how to behave and introduce new learning skills such as patience and discipline. Video games can also encourage healthy competition and increase persistence among students. When students don’t do well at a game, they will persevere to find a better way to succeed instead of abandoning the game. Video games are a healthy way to increase motivation as well as you often get rewards and prizes as you make your way through a game.
Benefits Of Video Games
The first reason video games should be used in education is that they help develop your creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. Games like Minecraft can reinforce your creativity skills. A strategy game like Fire Emblem will reinforce your necessary thinking skills. Also, playing games with friends will increase your social and collaborative skills and help you learn how to be on a team. While we typically think of meditation or yoga, video games can also be a great form of self-care.
Video games should be used in education because it helps us know who we are by implementing games choices. Games are interactive stories where you are in full control of the outcome. In some games, you choose which side you want to be on as in the villain or even the hero.
You can have the choice to decide who and want to be and how you want to control the game. Implementing choice can help us learn that making mistakes is all right, which allows us to take more opportunities and risks to better our mental health. These facts show us that video game play is a powerful tool for learners to know that their choices matter.
Lastly, they can encourage motivation as many have an attractive interface and navigation that simultaneously stimulates several senses. Simulation games draw you in, and you are motivated to finish them. This could also include healthy competition among peers and furthers the educational benefits of video games.
Disadvantages Of Video Games In Education
While there are numerous benefits to using video games in education, it is also essential to understand the disadvantages.
Video games can be addictive and tough to stop for some young people and adolescents. This could lead to social isolation and no longer wanting to read books or get off the computer. Time spent using video games can be an issue as parents and teachers may not desire their children playing video games excessively at school. Schools and parents may desire traditional forms of education rather than the technological aspect as sitting at a computer all day is not healthy at all.
Some video games contain violent behavior, and younger students may try to react to this in daily life. It’s essential to address and understand behavioral concerns to not be influenced by an online fantasy game. Another concern is the overall cost of having video games at a school, as the equipment and programs can be expensive.
Lastly, Some teachers feel that classroom necessities like books should be put before video games. Books and reading can provide a calmer aspect of learning rather than constant technological productivity. Books get you off screens and can increase your vocabulary which furthers your reading ability. It’s also still vital that students learn how to read and write and this is where traditional essays are best suited for this type of learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can video games be a valuable learning tool?
Video games help develop imagination, creativity, and problem-solving, which facilitates learning.
How are video games used in education?
Video games can be used for any subject, from math skills to history. They include lessons that guide a student or a group of students through a specifically designed scenario. As they explore the scenario, they will use and learn tools and mechanics to help finish the learning game.
What are the benefits of games in education?
Playing action video games can boost learning and learning capabilities in education. They improve education because games allow players to present realistic simulations of real-life situations in which they learn how to progress and evolve. Also a lot of games are multiplayer games which can increase social skills in an education setting.
How can video games benefit students?
Video games benefit students by strengthening cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, logical reason, memory, and perception.
Conclusion – Research by Findithealth.com
While there are advantages and disadvantages to having video games in education, FinditHealth researchers found them very beneficial. Studies have shown that video games in education have a significant positive effect on students’ learning process.
Including video games in education can help foster and develop skills in many students and also lead to an increase in social skills. This could also, in turn, facilitate future academic performance. Nowadays, we spend much time on the computer, and video games can be an excellent addition to a classroom and learning experience.