Hey Naysayers: Gaming is undeniably educational

I’m sick and tired of people saying that video games are a waste of time and that people are unintelligent for playing them. It’s just not true. The only people who say that are people who have never played a game and don’t realize what really goes into it. I think games are very much educational and should not be shunned.

First, playing video games involves a lot of thought and strategy. Each game has a completely different set of rules that you have to learn and follow. Now you can either sit and read the instruction booklet or you could figure it out on your own. Either way is fine and shows that you are using your brain to solve a problem.

So actually, learning to play a new game is educational. You need to learn the controls of the character and other elements, you also need to learn what you are suppose to do in each game. If it’s a fighting game you have to be able to recall and punch in tons of different combos in a matter of seconds, without looking at the button either.

Lets say you get bored and decide to play a different game later. Now you need to remind yourself of what that game’s control setting and purpose is.

Being able to remember the different controls, rules and strategy of 100s of different games is no small feat especially if your returning to the game after having not played it for a long time.

And what about all those games that have create-your-own levels? You think that doesn’t involve thought? How can you say gamers are unintelligent?

Reading a book is way more important than playing some stupid video game, right? Try playing a role-playing game. In each RPG there is a protagonist and antagonist, there is a plot, storyline, climax and resolution. Plus you get to control the protagonist and interact with the rest of the characters, so it is really an interactive novel. Don’t believe me? (BTW: I am a Jr. High English teacher).

Also think of all the math and science involved in video games. You have to constantly add and subtract hit point, bullets, enemies, obstacles and other stuff. In all those music games you have to learn to keep time, play the right notes and when to start and end a riff. I can keep going but I think you get the idea.

So I think you can understand now how educational video games really are. I hope now you’ll think about what really goes on when you pick up a controller. Please show this to all your “old fashioned” friends who think you need to stop wasting your time with video games.

Read [CBC] Also Read [BBC]