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Today I have Melissa Crossman as guest blogger. Please be sure to check out her unique guest post. Guest posts are always welcome, please contact me.
Instead
of learning how to ride a bike or fold laundry, kids today learn how to play
video games. Educators and parents question this new norm. Is mastering online
games more important than learning other skills? Maybe not, but experts agree
that computer games can increase a student’s ability to make decisions, judge
character and follow directions. Video games actually play an important role in
a child’s continuing education, and educators can harness the advantages of
online games for classroom success.
Video
Games Provide Physical and Mental Benefits
Children
who play computer games experience an increase in their hand-eye coordination,
visual perception and accuracy, as compared to non-gamers. They also enjoy
greater manual and mental dexterity.
Gaming
Teaches Life Skills
Gaming
also teaches life lessons. Playing a game from start to finish could take as
many as 100 hours, which builds a child’s ability to persevere. Multi-player
games teach teamwork and social skills. As kids choose associates and alliances,
they learn to evaluate character traits and analyze personality strengths and
weaknesses.
The
pro-social aspect of games also helps students with attention deficit disorder.
While violent games cause more aggression and hostility, games that include
positive social interaction create players who are more helpful to their peers
and less likely to fight.
Computer
Games Assist Teachers in the Classroom
While
teachers may feel frustrated about competing with games for a student’s
attention, gaming provides students with important classroom skills. Online
games teach kids to recognize patterns, think through situations and exercise
patience. As they process various actions while playing the game, they learn to
make decisions quickly and multi-task. With this skill, students succeed on
timed tests that often require a quick answer and leave little room for
second-guessing.
To
find effective classroom instruction tools for today’s generation of gamers, teachers can model computer game strategy. As games require
mastery of levels, school subjects rely on building blocks. For example,
students must learn the number names before they can add, and adding precedes
multiplication. This knowledge gives teachers a cue about effective teaching
methods as they strive to provide students with a comprehensive education.
Ensuring
Cyber Safety
Despite
the classroom advantages of video games, student advocates and concerned parents
rightly fear cyber dangers like bullying, stalking and sexting. Instead of
banning computer games, parents and teachers can instruct children in the
realities of online dangers. Educated children then use their critical thinking
skills to make wise decisions while online.
If
adults feel uncertain about Internet use or safety, educational opportunities
exist for adult learners. College courses and online forums teach adults how to
use technology with confidence. Thus equipped with technical
knowledge and a support network, they can then assist children in making safe
online choices. The Internet remains a necessary field every child must learn to
navigate. Parents and teachers who talk regularly about online safety equip kids
with the tools they need to remain safe.
Computer
games are part of the culture. Every child benefits from learning how to play an
online game. Instead of resisting the urge to limit computer time, teachers and
parents cultivate the positive aspects of these games. Their children develop
manual and mental dexterity while learning social skills, and everyone wants to
see more of these behaviors in the classroom.
About
the author: Melissa Crossman earned a Master of Education while living and
working in Indianapolis. She writes on behalf of www.aiuniv.edu.
Many thanks to Melissa Crossman
Enjoy your reading!
