"Go Play Video Games!"

By Heather Aulisio

Words You Never Thought You’d Utter, But 5 Reasons Why You Should.

Up until recently, I used to cringe when I’d listen to my students talk about playing video games. I’d start thinking about the hours of their lives that they wasted, the brain cells they’ve killed, and the moments they missed because they were cooped up in their room gaming all afternoon and night. But, I recently learned that playing video games in moderation is actually beneficial for today’s youth. How? Let me explain! After you hear my five reasons (with research), you may change your tune about your students’ after school activities too!

1.Video Games Improve Memory
A recent study concludes that playing 3D video games can aid in memory formation, which is highly important for today’s youth. The University of California, Irvine asked non-gaming students to commit to playing video games (either 2D or 3D) for about a half an hour every day for the course of two weeks. Before and after the sessions, students had to participate in an object-recognition memory test that engages a part of the brain associated with higher-level thinking and memory. The study showed that students who played 3D games improved their scores on their memory tests by about 12 percent! So, if you see students struggling with studying or remembering facts or figures, suggest they get on the gaming bandwagon!

2.Video Games Boost An Interest in History
If you’re struggling to get your students interested in a war or era in history, consider suggesting that they pick up the controllers. Tons of video games have historical settings and events that power the game. They also get introduced to new cultural situations, languages, and even visuals that they normally wouldn’t be immersed in. Researchers David Shaffer and James Gee found that when children have parents or teachers who offer or suggest historical games, they can tie what they see into 

3.Video Games Assist Motor Skills
Some teens and tweens still suffer from poorly developed motor skills. One way they can get stronger is by gaming. How? They can take a cue from some of the best surgeons-who coincidentally have played hours of video games in their youth. CBS News reports that researchers found that doctors who spent at least three hours a week playing video games made about 37 percent fewer mistakes (in laparoscopic surgery). They also performed tasks 27 percent faster than other doctors who did not play games. Hey, if it works for doctors, it can certainly help your students!

4.Video Games Promote Leadership
Do you have some students that need a confidence boost in regards to their leadership skills? Encourage them to play some games. Studies show that there are many games that encourage kids to complete a task or mission for the good of others. Kids are actively involved in decision making, thinking quickly, and solving real world problems. Some games foster the feeling of community and may help kids want to step into more leadership positions in the classroom because they have built their confidence with completing missions, saving characters, or directing others while gaming together as a team or pair.

5.They Improve Vision
I constantly remember my parents telling me to get off my video game or not sit closely to the television when playing. But recently, studies show that playing video games occasionally may actually make your vision better. Playing action games helps high school kids drive well in the dark, and even read at night. National Geographic News reports that the contrast sensitive function allows people to pick up on changes in shades of gray against a colored backdrop. This is also one of the first visual aptitudes to diminish with age-so adults may even want to start gaming a few times a week.

So, are you still convinced video games are terrible? Video games are not going away, but it’s reassuring to know that there are some significant benefits from playing them. They next time you hear your students’ brag about their gaming sessions, ask them to tell you about it, rather than scold them or dismiss it as a waste of time!