“Can you get smarter by playing video games?” That question right there is why this article exists. It (the query) forms the subject of hot debate among concerned parties. From parents to educators, and children, none are left satisfied when discussions on this contentious issue are made. Don’t believe me? Well, try searching “gaming and smart.” Then, scheme through the suggested articles to see the conflicting views people have. You will be baffled!
Back to the question; well, gaming can really make you smarter. Studies have concluded that gaming significantly boosts memory, increases brain function, enhances kid’s problem-solving skills. Moreover, it increases the attention span of an individual, encourages spatial reasoning, fosters social skills, and promotes strategic planning.
Nonetheless, there is a lot of negative this and that to justify the detriment that gaming inflicts on the education process. Do not let that fret you. Below are proven ways to show how gaming impacts positively on your education. Here we go:
Provides Feedback That Makes You Apt
We learn a lot from the feedback we receive. It helps us correct our mistakes, better ourselves, and offers the much-needed motivation that is an essential prerequisite for soldiering on.
Games, being incentive-based systems, offer appropriate feedback basing on the performance of the gamer. This information is quite useful in the learning process since it helps people to decipher their areas of weakness and thus learn how to remedy them in the future.
For instance, Minecraft can help in assessing the progress of the student in each game by looking at their performance in using the crafting system over time.
Fosters Critical Thinking
Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games enhance critical thinking in the gamer. They require excellent prioritization, planning, and multitasking to achieve the various game missions such as capturing an enemy, defeating adversaries, and so forth.
Star Wars games, World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, and StarCraft are perfect examples of RTS games that can help you become better in critical thinking. These games are laden with activities that call for smart thinking, thinking ahead, and at times cooperation.
The fact that these games are real-time means that situations can change drastically and without warning. This feature makes gamers learn how to adapt to change effectively.
Improves Brain Function
Puzzle games are designed to get you racking your brain. They provide an array of endeavors that require memory, keenness, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving to emerge as a victor. In turn, these lead to increased brain function and improved IQ.
Mario Bros and the adventure game-the Legend of Zelda are perfect examples of games that give your brain a workout. They come with complex puzzles that you will have to solve before progressing to the next level, or at times, to unlock a hidden item or treasure.
Develop A Range of Useful Skills in You
There are subtle abilities that come with gaming. These abilities will only rear their head when faced with situations that require them. You will have nothing to thank but games when you avert a potential disaster by applying what you learned from a simple game in front of your PC or console.
Some skills you can gain from gaming include teamwork, communication skills, strategic abilities, and even flying a plane (there is a movie with this part: Snakes on a Plane).
Additionally, gamers are known to think outside the box. They get proactive in handling their problems in the real world. They enlist professional custom essay services online for help with assignments, conduct group discussions, schedule appointments with experts in their dream careers, and so forth.
These traits are quite beneficial to students as they help them access the best services and solutions to their academic issues.
Broadens Your Scope On Topics
Games such as Europa Barbarorum can be quite useful for studying and understanding history. This game contains material that is way beyond the scope of the curriculum. This additional knowledge is useful when a student is required to write a historical expository essay.
The extra information can also make you come out as smart during classroom presentations.
Gauges and Monitors Your Progress
Digital games have been shown to support and enhance “formative assessment.” Simply, these are strategies used by educators to monitor, evaluate, and facilitate instruction and learning. Educative games such as Minecraft, SPORE, and Portal help to reinforce the process of continued learning during breaks and learning sessions.
Moreover, they help teachers to monitor and instruct their students as informed by the feedback from the games.
Happy gaming, and happy learning!
