Many will agree that playing video games such as brings a boatload of fun! As a matter of fact, 65 percent of American adults are using video games for their recreation and relaxation. Being one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide, it is pretty easy to concentrate on its entertainment value. But in reality, video games are more than just games and fun.
Learning through Video Games
Game-based learning is encouraged by countless educators. They are pushing to incorporate educational games in classrooms. More often than not, the results are beyond what is expected. Researchers are finding out that educational applications of these video games may even be more effective compared to what has been anticipated.
Medical and academic studies supported the observations too. In a study, it has been discovered that MLG or Mobile Learning Games are equally effective as conventional textbook learning in terms of transferring factual knowledge. Yet another study showed that game-based learning assessments or GBLA to be a great way to measure implicit learning.
Gaming and Learning
With all these said, it is pretty clear that when learning is integrated with fun, it is faster for students to show more interest and reap its benefits. Also, it is worth noting that these developments are most marked in children who are struggling with conventional learning methods.
Games are not just helping people to learn hard skills. There are several other kinds of research showing that video games are quite effective in teaching essential soft skills including but not limited to the following:
- Decision-making
- Critical thinkingĀ and;
- Teamwork
Furthermore, games can be used to help in learning physical skills. For instance, Level Ex, a game company based in Chicago is specializing in teaching medical experts via games. There are lots of other video game companies that welcomed this new age of gameplay. Just like for example, Ubisoft made a number of educational games as one of their top priorities.
Ubisoft and Riot introduced free titles in helping people to learn how they can learn coding by playing simply playing games. Whether it is in the field of health, medicine, education and whatnot, it is pretty clear that we are only at the surface of discovering what games can do in improving our lives.