Gaming and Learning

Learning is not only associated with studying and reading. It is has wide spectrum of sources and can be gained through different means. It has been founded that playing games also affects learning process greatly, in a positive manner. It enhances brain exercises and certain metabolic processes.

James Gee is a professor of learning sciences at the University of Wisconsin. He was amazed at the impact of gaming on his mind. His 6 years old son was fond of a game named “Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When it’s Dark Outside.” Professor Gee bought the game for his son, and tried to play it first so that he could help his son afterwards, but he was shocked when he had to seek guidance from his 6 years old kid. The experience was so liked by Gee that he bought another game called The New Adventures of the Time Machine. He expresses his views as, “I was just blown away when I brought it home at how hard it was.” The entire brain struggle made Gee think that there was something important between gaming and learning. He conducted a study and found out that gaming might be “mentally enriching” and can have effect on pattern recognition, system thinking, and even endurance.

Richard Haier, a professor of psychology at the University of California at Irvine, founded cerebral glucose metabolic rates in the brains of Tetris players in the early 90s. He used positron-emission tomography (PET) scanners for this purpose. This showed the amount of energy their brains were consuming. As they achieved higher levels of game, their brain work reduced as they had become accustomed to the game tactics.

One f the central principle of learning is “regime of competence”, which according to Gee, is associated with video games. The difficulty level increases gradually, step by step. Gee came to this conclusion about a decade after Haier’s study. “Basically, how we think is through running perceptual simulations in our heads that prepare us for the actions we’re going to take,” Gee says. “By modeling those simulations, video games externalize how the mind works.”

How are Games Good for Brain?

Most popular games involve no bloodshed, but how to create a balance between relationships, maintain living standard in a limited income and endeavor for better position and status. Video games involve detective abilities, too. These are few examples of how gaming affects brain.

Virtual skills affect real world abilities:

Shawn Green, a cognitive sciences research assistant and a passionate gamer, worked with Daphne Bavelier, a cognitive sciences professor at the University of Rochester, on a project in which they investigated visual perception in non gamers and video game players. The standard tests measured attention span and information processing time. In the standard test, it was found that gamers time and again outperformed non-gamers. After some time of gaming experience, non gamers showed quite a visible improvement. “Strong peripheral vision is useful to law enforcement, firefighters, and the military. They need those enhanced skills,” Green said.

Even US Army has showed great confidence in gaming and its effects on soldiers. Learning is not limited to reading and going to school. Games are not that bad, you see!

Written by “Seemab”

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Tags: brains, exercises, game tactics, Games, video games