Gaming as an Educational Tool

[Duke]

From the news page:

Well it's about time that video games actually get some positive news for a change. The constant drone of negativity covering video games over the years has become tiresome to those of us who enjoy them so it's nice to see some positive for a change.

According to a study by the Federation of American Scientists, video games may actually help to redefine education. A direct quote from the article posted at Quickdfw.com " The theory is that games teach skills that employers want: analytical thinking, team building, multitasking and problem-solving under duress."

[Duke]

I think it's obvious how I feel about this topic. Anyone care to share their thoughts on the matter?

[Vautrin]

It definitely is true.

One of the first games I was mad about was the age-old Railroad Tycoon. Ok, it had flawed economic models, but it still is a decent exercise in decision making, and all that. Which became more complex with the newer games, so I hardly would call those games a waste of time.

Even Final Fantasy VII, which is a simple game, can be made quite complex, depending on the targets you set. The tougher challenges demand of you that you completely understand game-mechanics, and everything that might be at your disposal. In fact, I had to do some calculations 2 weeks ago, and had to do some matrix algebra. Not certain that kids in high school even have to know stuff like that, and after high school, unless you are studying math, you don't use it anymore. Depending on the challenge you spend more time creating a strategy than actually playing the game.


Then there is a bunch of historical games, in which you learn quite a bit about ancient times. Often they come with their own economic models, which you have to understand too.

And multiplayer games, such as NWN, or anything involving decent strategy, requires you to understand what the situation is, what your skills are, and with whom you are playing. Taking out a wizard with a barbarian and a cleric is quite a bit different from taking said wizard out with a rogue and a sorcerer. And even the generalities are not sufficient to decide on a strategy.

All skills mentioned are definitely improved by playing the right games. No contest.

It is not the gaming that is good or bad in itself. But more the games and how the player reacts to them...

[darkangelism]

Ill post more later, i have to go to work, but NWN 2 comes out on the 31st.

[Vautrin]

And Medieval: Total War 2, in about a month. Will be interesting.

I think part of the reason that games work, to enhance these skills, is because players are playing those games willingly. They find them important. If you have no interest in them, or only are interested to cheat your way to victory, then it won't help at all, to play games.

[darkangelism]

yeah, i think certain games serve different rooles for why we play them. I play RPGs for the story, i dont care about gameplay too much. Strategy games are a mental test. Some games are just for fun. Most games help us develop some skill, though some are more useful then others.

I want NWN2 but my PC setup isnt good now, i dont have a desk or table to sit at, so i lay on the floor which i cant do for hours at a time...though i do have a 37" monitor to play it on which should be awesome.