Computer games are not usually associated with education or learning. People look at them as pure entertainment or even waste of time. However, with the blessings of modern technology, even computer games can enhance knowledge, explain or broaden a concept and even develop alertness, intelligence and logic.
Do you play computer games? Tell us in the comments.
Intelligence, Logic and Math
Some video games like Ko’s Journey are designed in such a way that they help in addition of objects and aid the understanding of math. Games like Sim City and RollerCoaster Tycoon help in building the planning skills of adults. These are basically strategy games which also enhance strategic thinking and logic. There are some puzzle games which also enhance the thinking abilities. Recent popular games like Angry Birds are based on laws of physics like Angle, bounce, speed, elevation, trajectory and timing.
Alertness
There are a host of War Games which enhance alertness in adults/children. Some of the examples are Total War and Age of Empires. These computer games teach people war strategies, develop the logic and greatly increase the alertness.
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Intuition and Interpersonal Skills
Some of the treasure hunt games are based on extensive searching. This can develop the intuition of children and even their interpersonal skills. The graphics and animation is so well developed that it feels real, thus making the children bolder and braver while playing such games.
A New Wave of Education
Sometimes traditional ways of teaching can be boring and monotonous and can make children disinterested. Educational computer games have a terrific edge over traditional ways of teaching. Playing any game is always fun. So these games combine fun, thrill and excitement and make education extremely interesting for children/adults. This way, children are automatically lured into playing them and it sets the perfect platform for some motivational education. Once a certain area of their personality starts developing, they can take interest even in traditional classroom education.
Thus, these educational computer games are here to stay forever and they are truly phenomenal for what they deliver!
Computer games for education? What do you think?
Educational games is what parents need to install in their computer. It can also help them to know more about logic and mind while playing technological games!
Thanks for the comment Liane 🙂
I think by playing video games children are becoming stronger in Logic.
Not only that Mark, I think computer games can make learning more interesting and fun too.
Well Peter, I do play computer games and I stumbled into this article which you might just want to check it out. It is about real life lessons learned from computer gaming 😉
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/get_schooled_10_life_lessons_learned_gaming?page=0,0″
Yeah thanks for recommending the article Alan, I enjoyed reading it. It’s good to know that people got to learn something while playing computer games and not just treating it as pure entertainment.
I know i’m too old to play Angry Birds however it’s very addictive. Anyways, i agree with you Peter. It’s good to have an educational game in order to enhance the knowledge of the players. There are a lot of educational games out there however like you said, most of them are monotonous. I hope someday someone will be able to create a fun, entertaining and exciting educational game.
It’s never too old to “learn” Veronica, I love Angry Birds too 🙂
When I was little all we had were card games and board games. Some could be considered educational I guess, but I am pretty sure if we had the games and things like we do now when I was little I probably would have been a little more interested in learning. Now I can’t even play most of the games they have there are a lot of controls and buttons, but the kids sure do seem to get the hang of it fast. I think it is great.
Yeah Ray, my favorites were the Happy Families card game and Monopoly, I wonder if kids nowadays still play them…
I can still remember the time when educational computer games used to be in V-tech computers. Those laptop-like toys.
Those are still available nowadays, try check out Amazon. Thanks for stopping by John.
I differnetly agree that modern computer games can advance people’s knowledge compared the the video games in the 1980s where all you saw was blocks of graphics with fiction stories.
Thanks for the comment Paul.
I agree completely. My son uses our computer for school work on a daily basis. He has games online that teach him math, reading, science, and even manners games. I think embracing the technology an incorporating it into the public school classrooms is the way to go from here. Give kids online curriculum as well as off. Great post Peter.
Thanks John 🙂
Carmen Sandiego and Wheel of Fortune immediately come to mind. Frankly, I cannot imagine life without computer games. I can attest that not all of them are the hack and slash variety. There are good ones that still offer educational value.
Wheel Of Fortune… Yeah, I almost forgot that. Definitely a good educational game. Thanks for stopping by teecup 🙂
My son greatly improved his speech and counting skills because of educational games.
That’s wonderful Noel! Computer games can definitely play a role in education.
PC and video games are good tools to use in teaching and educating your children. You can find games for any topic and subject, and best of all since kids like playing them, they will actually enjoy using them for learning.
Kids tend to spend more time playing games than reading, hence using games in education will surely grab their attention and increase their interest in learning. Thanks for commenting Sean.
I think one of the pros of PC games is that, many PC games offer more than just fun to the gamers. I mean, compared to console games that are mostly about heroes fighting shooting, slashing or killing enemies, PC games provide much better collection of games than consoles. Look at “The Settlers”. The Settlers is exclusive for PC (but now is available too on iOS devices).
This game is a strategy game developed by Ubisoft and it’s about building our city/kingdom and troops, creating houses for our people, finding food, sending the resource to the right place, fighting other kingdoms, etc. And this game really makes me learn about building something from a scratch. So i think, PC games are not always about having fun, but they make gamers learn something and sharpen their brain.
I’m with you on this, Brian!
Thanks Peter!! Your blog is awesome by the way 🙂