Can Video Games Be Effective for Education?

• BobYoMeowMeow wrote on 2010-09-24 02:54
  Obviously this topic has been around for decades
  there are even university professors supporting the yes side
  [video=youtube;IMqA7PqHySk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMqA7PqHySk[/video]
  
  and Obama is supporting the use of education through video games
  
  The linguistic professor in the video claimed that schools destroy the joy found in learning
  and it should enjoyed like other human activities like sex.
  
  From video games you can learn from failure and also explore the situation you're in
  
  Can video games be effective for education?
  
  Personally, the cat learned to read a lot of text fast from jRPGs
  
  more arguments from youtube
  [video=youtube;rN0qRKjfX3s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN0qRKjfX3s[/video]
• Zid wrote on 2010-09-24 03:02
  I know one of the most prominent universities in my state definitely support video games.
  
  UT Videogame Archive - About the Archive
  
  As for if it works? When done in controlled and moderate settings, I believe yes.
• woohoohelloppl wrote on 2010-09-24 03:04
  I'd say yes. I basically learned how to read, write, and type from video games... I even learned how to do math, basic science concepts, etc. Man...those Reader Rabbit games were the best. There was also this game called "Journey into the Brain", which taught me parts of the brain and what functions they carried out. Honestly, I learned and remembered waaaaaaaay more from those games than what my teachers taught me... There's also a lower possibility of me falling asleep. XD
• emomutt wrote on 2010-09-24 03:11
  depends on what your teaching
  starcraft,call of duty: military
  tekken, mortal kombat series: self defense
  rapelay: intercourse
• Okitaru wrote on 2010-09-24 03:19
  @Emomutt lolrapelay that teachs you about abortion and rape...
  
  Anyways, I've learned the majority of, near everything off games, except American history. Even math skills, vocabulary, standard grammar (Not necessarily your test "formal" but still literate).
• Tatsu wrote on 2010-09-24 03:20
  last I checked, aiming for headshots is the most idiotic thing you can do.
  
  It depends. As long as they're not teaching us like those silly pop quiz games, then sure why the hell not. I learned some random stuff from Persona 3+4 that helped me in a test a week back.
• Chockeh wrote on 2010-09-24 03:23

  Quote from emomutt;164388:

  depends on what your teaching
  starcraft,call of duty: military
  tekken, mortal kombat series: self defense
  rapelay: intercourse

  
  We do need more sexual education.
• Finnea wrote on 2010-09-24 03:25
  I totally support this topic. Video games can teach different ways of thinking, as well as team work skills and life lessons. However the videogames we have now don't have the goal of teaching us (usually, and excluding learning games,) so they are more of a supplement to learning, rather than a main way of teaching.
• Scontro wrote on 2010-09-24 03:43
  Yuhh Games help with thinking outside of the box sometimes. Final fantasy for example. :X
• User495 wrote on 2010-09-24 03:47
  I agree too,
  
  there's quite abit of things in English class I already know before getting into the class because of the games I've played,
  
  would be pretty cool if they can make a "History" game where you pretty much play an RPG that goes through the content of the History Class
• Ruquion wrote on 2010-09-24 03:56
  IMO tangential learning is extremely effective and can be applied not only to video games, but also modern literature and music.
  
  E.g., Seisen no Iberia made me learn about the Iberian War, the Hitchiker's Guide made me think about philosophical questions such as the meaning of life, etc.
• Chillax wrote on 2010-09-24 04:05
  As supplementary material to history and literature, yes. For sciences? Not really.
  
  It might be more helpful as a simulation for hospital residents, engineers, etc.
• woohoohelloppl wrote on 2010-09-24 04:05

  Quote from Sevian;164408:

  I agree too,
  
  there's quite abit of things in English class I already know before getting into the class because of the games I've played,
  
  would be pretty cool if they can make a "History" game where you pretty much play an RPG that goes through the content of the History Class

  
  
  That would be so much easier... It would probably motivate me too.
• paladin wrote on 2010-09-28 00:34
  I put it this way
  You dont wann learn or no interset- not much will go thou
  You want to learn- alot easier
  Its fun to learn = easier still
  If it can make students enjoy it more then yes it will help