The Benefits of Educational Video Games

 

Video games have become very popular in recent years. Recent studies have shown that roughly 74% of teachers in the U.S. have incorporated some type of digital game-based learning into their lesson plans. With teachers buying into educational video games, why should you?

Attractive to the Children: Depending on the age of the child, the attentional span of a child ranges from 4-40 minutes. Many classes are at least 50 minutes long and considered to be boring if its just a teacher lecturing for the entire class. Educational video games are attractive to the children and will hold their attention for longer than  teacher lecturing will. These games transform learning into an enjoyable thrilling game.

Cognitive Benefits: Video games provide cognitive benefits for those who are playing them. Such cognitive abilities can be coordination, problem solving, memory enhancement, multitasking, and developing social skills. Students who are struggling to learn or developed these cognitive skills in school can get help through educational video games.

Students Can Try Out Their Skills: Students can try out the skills they have learned in both book smarts and street smarts. They can learn through failure and repetition. Being able to try out their street smart skills in applicable situations allows for the student to learn what is appropriate to do and how to avoid failure. With book smarts, kids can apply things they have learned in class to get the desired result within the game. If they fail they have to do it again which will help the kids retain the information they are using to solve whatever situation or question they are solving.

Now knowing this, you should help schools out and buy into educational video games being beneficial for students. 

Are you looking positives that video games could provide you? Check out our post titled "The Positives of Video Games."

The Positives of Video Games

 

Video Games have been painted in a negative light in recent years. Many think that video games are creating violent and are rotting peoples brains. This however is untrue. Video games can be a positive past time that can bring people positive outcomes. Video games are constantly criticized but rarely praised for the good things they provide players. The following are some key positives video games provide to players. 

• Hand-Eye Coordination: Certain games such as Call of Duty and Valorant have been proven to increase ones cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination. The University of Toronto found that video games could be a treatment for people struggling with their hand-eye coordination or sensorimotor skills in general
• Relaxation: Video games have become more popular for adults in recent times due to the relaxing effect they have. It has been proven that video games can have the same effect as meditation in terms of getting your mind into a relaxation state. This state of mine allows for one to release stress and be happier.
• Expand Ones Creativity: Video games such as Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing allow one to be creative. Being able to express yourself can encourage ones creativity. Goals within these games make a player use their imagination as well as help ones memory by causing the payers to remember details.  

What should you do next? Play some video games! Allocate some time to relax and improve your sensorimotor skill and get into the relaxation state to relieve some stress. If you're looking for some positives form education specific games check out our other post "Positives of Educational Video Games."

In the comments below, describe any other positive benefits or outcomes you may have experiences from videogames. 

Artificial Intelligence: The death of education?

 

Artificial Intelligence is becoming more prevalent each day and is slowly creeping into school systems day by day. Some might have opinions that dislike the idea of AI, but it can be very advantageous to many. Now, AI being used to write essays and answer homework is clearly not how it should be used, but if used right, it can further educational opportunities. Some of the advantages AI has in education are:

• Tutoring: AI can be used to help students in real time for any questions they might have. When teachers or other educators are not able to help students, AI can step in and provide assistance. 

• Proctors: Testing online has become used by every level of education, which can open the door for academic dishonesty. AI proctors can be used to make sure no academic dishonesty happens when exams and tests are given online. 

• Correct Curriculum: Every student learns differently nowadays, so it is important educators teach in a manner that will keep students engaged and ready to learn. AI is able to identify students learning styles and how to appropriately develop curriculums that will help student engagement. 

As stated earlier, AI is a scary idea as it can hinder learning abilities, but it has many advantages that can increase learning. I would love to hear how AI has made learning easier for you in the comments below!

Did COVID leave a beneficial tool for students?

As we all know, COVID-19 left a huge impact on how certain areas of work can be done in today's society. One of the most important areas it impacted, was the educational system and how institutions went about educating students. As a high school senior in 2020, who ended their high school career at home learning over the computer, it seemed that COVID may have unlocked a beneficial way for students to learn. Some advantages of COVID impacting traditional learning are:

• Repeat Videos: Students who received informational videos or lectures from their teachers, can access those videos whenever need be. 

• Self-Engagement: Students were able to work at their own pace and be studious on their own. 

• Technology Skills: The world is ever changing and technology is at the front of the line. It is vital the younger generation learn the skills that are important to the technological world, so they can become successful later in life. 

COVID was an atrocity that hindered many lives around the whole world, but through dark times, we as humans have to find the positives. COVID brought an opportunity to many that is not talked about enough. So, tell me your thoughts in the comments below about the advantages you have found through online learning.

Welcome to Level-Up Education

Welcome to Level-Up Education. Our mission is to bring awareness to all about educational video games. We also provide the next level in educational video games and technology. It is our duty to provide a product that will enhance learning for elementary and middle school students. It is our responsibility to educate those who know nothing about educational video games. Our product has the ability to not only make learning a fun experience, but change how students learn in today's environment. Please join us on this adventure as we make learning fun!