How Do Video Games Provide Effective Learning?
Updated On October 18, 2021 | by Zayn Tindall
Many parents have a love-hate relationship with video games. They consider video games responsible for the bad grades of their children. They believe that exposure to video games might affect the performance of their children at school. However, there’s more to it than meets the eye.
I was watching a YouTube video on my TV powered by Spectrum promotions. The guy was decoding all the myths about video games. He talked about the most common misconceptions like video games promote violence, etc. It was a great video and the host knew what he was talking about.
How Big is the Video Game Industry?
Long gone are the days when movies dominated the audio-visual market. Video gaming is a huge industry. It is even bigger than Hollywood. After all, it boasts more than 2.5 billion players in the world. Video gaming has come a long way since the fifties. Today, it is one of the biggest users of technology.
Figures show that the gaming industry generated $177.8 billion in revenue last year. The numbers show year-on-year growth of 23.1%. Newzoo reports that the numbers show the highest jump in revenue since 2012. It is safe to say that the video gaming industry is now the undisputed leader of the audio-visual sector.
Even streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max recognize the potential of the video gaming industry. These services are vying for the top spot in the audio-visual streaming sector. Netflix has been producing some quality animations. Animated series like Castlevania and Masters of the Universe: Revelation has received critical acclaim for their animation quality.
How Video Games Stimulate Learning?
Believe it or not, video games have done a lot for fields like archaeology. Games like Tomb Raider stimulate the intellect. Millions of schoolchildren are benefitting to this day from video games. Want to learn history, geography, or mathematics without getting bored? Play a video game that provides history lessons as well as entertainment.
Game-based learning offers multiple benefits. It transmits knowledge to schoolchildren in many ways. Education becomes lively if you incorporate it with a video game. Students get the most motivation out of playing video games. They provide an enjoyable and thrilling experience. They learn and retain information without making hectic efforts.
In educational games, students are the main characters. Their progress is rewarded through medals, achievements, and bonuses. Game-based learning is a great way to motivate students to retain their interest in learning and have fun along the way. Lastly, students can practice what they acquire without getting into dangerous situations. Today, you can learn to fly a plane with the help of a flight simulator PS4.
What are the Benefits of Playing Video Games?
Playing video games can provide many cognitive benefits. However, too much exposure to video games can have an adverse impact. Therefore, it is important to keep a check on your child’s video-gaming habits. That said, here are the major benefits of playing video games:
- Increased Response Time
- Develop Problem-Solving Skills
- Teamwork Building
- Boost Creativity
- Build Strategy and Leadership skills
- Boost Critical Thinking
- Teach Languages
What are the Best Video Games for Learning?
Today, there is no shortage of educational video games. They are an important part of game-based learning. They aim to provide knowledge and skills. Video games like Duolingo help users learn new languages. It is worth mentioning here that educational video games are currently experiencing a boom. They are expected to generate $17 billion in revenue by 2023.
Here are some great learning games for students:
- Blood Typing is a great game for students interested in the science of blood and transfusions. Swedish Academy has developed the game to teach students about blood types.
- Spore is a great game for students interested in biology. It provides useful information about evolution.
- Pacific teaches users how to become effective leaders and managers. If you want to learn about team management and leadership, give Pacific a try.
- Extreme Event teaches some useful stuff about natural disasters. It offers great insights into team-building exercises.
- Duolingo teaches multiple languages like French, German, and Chinese.
What Should I Do as a Parent?
Parents have valid reasons to worry about the impact of video games on their children. There’s no denying that video games can stimulate behavioral changes in children. It is advisable to check the rating of a video game before buying it for your children. You can check the PEGI or the ESRB video game rating system.
Moreover, make sure to check the content of the video game. Children should not be exposed to violent games. They should play educational games that stimulate learning and critical thinking. Spend time with your children while they play video games. You can even play video games with them. Playing video games together creates a stronger bond between parents and children.
Lastly, set a time limit for your children when it comes to video games. You’ll have to choose a suitable time for your children to play video games. It is advisable to strike a balance between studying, doing chores, and playing video games.
Also Read- What does GG Stands For?
