The use of video games in education has been a topic of debate for years. Some argue that they are a distraction and have no place in the classroom, while others claim that they can be valuable tools for learning. However, recent studies have shown that the benefits of video games in education far outweigh any potential negative effects. In this article, we explore the positive impacts of video games in education and why they should be used in the classroom.
Top Benefits of Video Games in Education
Below are a few of the benefits of video games in education.
Increased Engagement and Motivation
One of the main benefits of video games in education is that they can increase student engagement and motivation. Learners who play them are more likely to be actively engaged in the learning process, which can lead to better understanding and retention of information. Video games provide an interactive, immersive experience that can make studying fun and engaging. For example, a game that teaches players about history can make the subject more relatable and interesting for students.
Improved Problem-Solving
Another benefit of video games in education is that they can improve problem-solving skills. Many of them require players to think critically and devise creative solutions to challenges. This type of problem-solving is transferable to many academic subjects, such as math, science, and engineering. In addition, video games can help students develop spatial reasoning skills, which are crucial for understanding and manipulating objects in the real world.
Improved Coordination
The visual and aural cues in video games are often intricate. In contrast to viewing films, players must respond actively to these stimuli, allowing them to develop their coordination. Moreover, with advancements in motion tracking and virtual reality, video games can increasingly motivate players to move their whole bodies to progress in a game, hence generating possibilities for exercise.
Memory Enhancement and Improved Focus
For most games, students must recall the game’s rules, controls, and goals, as well as information about the game’s narrative, characters, and locations, hence improving their memory. Additionally, video games are excellent at keeping people’s attention. Although it is challenging to mimic their addictive nature, they may teach pupils valuable, motivating ideas.
Improved Memory Function
Video games improve the students’ memory function, allowing them to multitask. As stated before, they are filled with visual and auditory inputs that players must absorb, understand, and respond to in a fraction of a second or less. Thus, they may teach individuals to respond faster without compromising accuracy. In addition, most games need players to monitor numerous factors concurrently, such as their avatar’s health and inventory, the level or task’s time limit, and the possibility of impending dangers. It allows them to improve their multitasking abilities.
Consider Positive Effects of Video Games in Education
The following are the positive effects of video games in education.
Teamwork and Collaboration
Video games can help students develop teamwork and collaboration skills. Most of them require players to work together to achieve a common goal, which can help pupils learn to communicate effectively and make decisions as a team. Furthermore, games that simulate real-life scenarios can help learners develop empathy and understand different perspectives.
Self-Regulation
Another positive effect of video games in education is that they can help students develop self-regulation skills. Many games require players to manage their time and resources effectively, which can help learners learn to prioritize tasks and set goals. In addition, they can help pupils learn to cope with frustration and failure, which are essential skills for success in college and life. So, why should video games be used in education? There are many reasons why video games should be used in education.
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Improved Performance
Video games can help students improve their academic performance, develop critical thinking skills, and improve their writing and problem-solving abilities. In addition, they can assist them to develop teamwork and collaboration skills, social and emotional development, and self-regulation skills, which are essential for success in school and the workplace.
They Make Learning Relatable
Furthermore, video games can help bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and the digital world in which students are now growing up. Many learners are already familiar with video games and are comfortable using technology, so incorporating them into the classroom can make learning more relatable and engaging for them.
It is a Controlled Environment
Video games are beneficial to students. They are a natural method for learners to fail in a controlled environment, learn from their mistakes, and try again until they succeed. Some games make failing enjoyable. Players may wreck their automobiles in the game, and the more dramatic the collision, the more points they will get. Such games enable players to learn from their errors, rectify them, and try again. A player’s failure in a game makes them feel inadequate, yet they may instantly redeem themselves and increase their abilities.
Prepare Learners for the Future
According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, teaching pupils 21st-century skills, such as creative problem-solving, is essential for the future workforce. Games like DragonBox Algebra, in which players tackle arithmetic problems in a fantastical setting, may aid in developing abilities like critical thinking. In others like Civilization, users may assume the role of a national leader and influence the development of countries. In ARTé: Mecenas, players may become members of the Medici family, art patrons, and prosperous bankers. Students may acquire skills and information via experience, which they would not get in conventional classrooms.
Entice Students to STEM
Video games allow more students to stay in STEM fields, which is essential in developing the future workforce. The difficulty of beginning courses such as calculus is one of the reasons learners drop out of or transition from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. The University of Oklahoma has created a game that might aid students in their calculus studies. Utilizing a purposefully designed learning game, such as Variant: Limits, developed at Texas A&M University, has boosted students’ calculus understanding.
Makes Learning Complex Subjects Easier
Video games make learning complex subjects fun and easier. According to educational theories, pupils cannot be taught. Instead, they generate their knowledge. Learners develop their own unique, higher-level, and more complicated know how by building on previously acquired notions. For instance, many students find studying and retaining the periodic table of elements challenging. However, pupils who play the popular video game Pokémon may quickly master a sophisticated three-dimensional matrix with 27,624 values that allow them to learn the periodic table quickly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the benefits of video games in education are numerous and undeniable and they help with school significantly. They can help students improve their academic performance, develop critical thinking skills, and improve problem-solving skills. They can also help learners develop teamwork and collaboration skills, social and emotional development, and self-regulation skills. Furthermore, they can bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and the digital world in which students are now growing up. Therefore, video games should be used in education to help students succeed.
