Benefits of Video Games

English 223 D

12/5/2012
Intro

I have played video games since I was five years old, they have been a huge part of my life. They have made me the person I am today for better or worse, but I believe for the better. They have helped me significantly in my social life. They helped me make friends, and have allowed me to have a common ground with people I would other wise never have anything in common with. It allows me to meet new people and keep in touch with friends in far off places. The challenges that video games have presented me have taught me how to analyze the situation quickly so I can react just as fast. Also I have learned a lot of random facts from video games about the real world. Many of the situations in video games have connections to the real world and thanks to the simulations of real life in video games I know how to react to certain situations or perform certain task appropriately with out actually ever doing them before. I believe video games have many benefits to offer everyone, they have been great to me and I am sure they can help everyone.

Video games are deemed as toys with no apparent value but to waste time. This is very untrue, video games can be very beneficial if used properly. They can increase analysis and problem solving skills, they allow people the ability to keep in touch with their friends from all around the world and even make new ones because they have a shared interest, and they can teach you how to defend yourself without actually having to defend yourself.

Video games can be beneficial when used in moderation just like everything else. They can help with educational learning, they can simulate dangerous and or costly situations in a cheap and safe manner, and also help build social and leadership skills.

Educational Benefits of Video Games

Not only are video games fun, but they are also thought provoking and help simulate cognitive thinking. If used properly video games can be a very fun and highly useful educational tool. James Paul Gee states “they build into their designs and encourage – good principles of learning, principles that are better than those in many of our skill-and-drill, back-to-basics, test-them-until-they-drop schools.” (Gee 2003 p.205)

“A recent study from the Education Development Center and the U.S. Congress-supported Ready To Learn (RTL) Initiative found that a curriculum that involved digital media such as video games could improve early literacy skills when coupled with strong parental and teacher involvement. Interestingly, the study focused on young children, and 4- and 5-year-old who participated showed increases in letter recognition, sounds association with letters, and understanding basic concepts about stories and print.” (Scott Steinberg 2011 p.16).

From personal experience I believe what Steinberg’s research is pretty accurate. I used to teach kindergarteners how to use computers and how to use the educational software. Once the kids actually learned how to use the computer and play the games, their math and English scores started to increase. I noticed that I had to help the kids less and less throughout the year, and the teacher made a comment on how well the kids were doing after playing the games. Not only were the games fun but they reinforced the material they were learning in class.

Although educational video games may be helpful to children, there are also concerns about their overuse. Sarah Klein reports that one study shows that elementary students that spend at least two hours of the day playing video games are about 60% more likely to have attention problems in class than the other students who spend less time playing video games or don’t play video games at all, according to a journal in Pediatrics. But Sarah Klein indicates this “study doesn't prove that video games directly cause attention problems. It could be that kids who have short attention spans to begin with might be more likely to pick up a joystick than a book, for instance.” (Sarah Klein 2010)

I believe it is the latter. From personal experience it has always been hard for me to focus on boring subjects. I find myself dreaming about something, then realize that I am still in class and should be focusing and taking notes. When I play video games I find myself more focused and driven to pay attention. When something peeks my interest I am more willing and able to retain attention. You would be suprised at all stuff I can remember about video games that I have played, even if I played them fourteen or more years ago compared to something that I have to force myself to remember which I forget the next day. I have taken into consideration that even though I have played videogames since I was about five video games might be the cause for my attention defiect. However, I believe the source of the problem is boring uninteresting lessons. Whenever a teacher makes a good joke it catches my attention and am more able to focus than when they just rant.

My personal experience is backed by scientic research. A experiment done in Africa on the educational benefits of video games concluded that kids who played the educational video games scored better in reading and speeling than the kids whoo didn't play video games. (Din, Carlo 2001 p.100) Another research article mentions a game called Civilizations 3 where you control civilizations and help them grow. The game contains large amount of information about history and geography. “Within just a few weeks, all of the participants showed dramatic improvements in their basic geography and history skills. Most could locate the major ancient civilizations on a map, and all could name key historical military units, as well as make arguments about the growth of cities in particular geographic areas. Students were skilled with collegiate-level world history terminology, using words and terms such as monotheism, cathedral, and ancient Persians regularly.” ( Lieberman 2010)

Simulation Video Game Benefits

After extensive and thorough research most video game programers and designers can simulate real life situations in there video games which can be used in a plethora of different ways. One such use is militaristic training.

A experiment was conducted on emergency medical technician (EMT) soldiers to see if stressful video games can help with stress on the field better than classroom instruction and practice. All the soldiers in the experiment were given stress control techniques to be used in stressful situations. Half of the soldiers were tested by playing a modified zombie game that was harder than the original version of the game. Also the game used biofeedback to challenge the stress control of the soldiers. The other half of the tested soldiers practiced in class. The video game was able to measure the heart rate and stress levels of the soldier playing the game, and depending on how much stress the soldier was experiencing the game's screen would become redder and narrower until the soldier could only see the game screen through a small hole. The screen's role, when it became redder and narrower, was to simulate tunnel vision a side effect of extremely high stress levels. Most soldiers have reported experiencing tunnel vision in high stress situations. The tunnel vision simulation was to make the soldier realize that he was stressing and that he needed to calm down. At this point the soldier would practice the stress managing techniques taught to him, when he would calm down the screen would revert to normal allowing the soldier to continue playing unhindered. Most of the soldiers that played the video game were able to control their stress more and experience less stress than the non-game playing soldiers.(Bouchard, S., Bernier, F., Boivin, É., Morin, B., & Robillard, G. 2012)

I know first hand that video games can help with stress management. I have played many horror games, and they have tested the very limits of my courage and bravery. When I play horror games I try to put myself in the main character’s situation. I do this by turning all the lights off and putting surround sound headphones on to cancel all other noise. When I first started playing and was surprised by the monsters in the game I would panic and shoot all over the place wasting ammo and sometimes getting killed. Eventually,the more I played the more I was able to react more calmly to surprise attacks and was able to efficiently slay the monsters with precision and not waste any ammo. This method of stress handling might work a bit too well as in everyday situations if I am surprised I usually react in a violent way by attacking my surpriser, but usually I am able to recognize the person and am able to react fast enough to prevent myself from hurting them, but not always.

Another cool way military has used video games is by simulating gun use and vehicle operations with virtual reality setups. I remember watching a report on the History channel about the military using video games to help soldiers get used to certain weapons. The guns used in the simulation were real, but have been modified for a video game simulation and were unloaded. The soldier would shoot at virtual targets on a projection screen. The guns recoiled like they would if they were using live ammo and the virtual bullet would act like a real bullet in the game world; taking into account wind, gravity, and recoil. Also the guns would run out of ammo or get jammed and the soldier would actually have to reload the gun or fix the jam on the real gun they were using.(History Channel)

Another episode showed soldiers entering virtual cock pits for fighter jets and helicopters. The cock pits were the real deal with all the switches, buttons, and throttles of the real things. The only differences are that the windshield was replaced with a digital screen and the cock pit is hooked up to a hydraulic moving station. The screen would present a virtual sky for the pilots in training to practice in while the hydraulics would simulate the movement of the vehicles. The military has also used the use of video games for heavy land vehicles like tanks in a similar fashion.(History Channel)

Social, Team building, and Leadership Benefits

Video games have many social benefits one of them is bringing families closer together. “Families that embrace playing video games as part of their everyday life are likely to find themselves enjoying a greater sense of cohesion and communication” (Steinberg 2012 p.21)

How true this can be. I was the first in my family to really get into video games, my brother liked to watch and my dad would try to play every so often. It started with the Nintendo and I would play Mario or Duck Hunter. Duck Hunter was more multiplayer friendly as you could take turns shooting ducks. My dad and I would play Duck hunter together and it was a blast. It wasn't until I got a Super NES that things started to get really exciting. About two years after I got my Super NES my dad brought a game called Super Mario Kart for me because he knew I liked Super Mario games. However he became addicted to it and so did I. Thankfully it had a two player split screen option so we could race together. It also had a battle mode that my younger brother and I would play. Years, a new gaming console, and a new version of Mario Kart later my whole family is playing together and having a blast. Mario Kart has throughout the years always brought my family closer together. Another point is that my brother, sister, and I have never really seen eye to eye, but when we play video games together we can be the closest of buds. Video games can bring dysfunctional families together with the right games, and my family is proof. Another social benefit of video games is giving people a common ground on which they can connect to other people with. I have no actual research to prove this, but my own personal experience. I have been an outcast, loner, shy person, or whatever other name for someone who doesn't interact well with others my entire life. However thanks to video games and the high percentage of people who play them I can connect with people easier because we have some kind of common ground. One example is when I went to a classmate's house because his mother invited my mother over for vespers. It was the beginning of my sophomore year in high school and I knew nothing about this kid, but his mom and my mom insisted that I go into his room and introduce myself. I was hesitant at first but I saw he was playing a computer game that I had never seen before. I asked him what it was and then continued to ask about other games that he played and we ended up talking about games and playing them all night. Now we are really good friends who still hangout a lot. We would probably of never become friends if we did share a common interest in video games. That just one example out of many that I have.

Everyone thinks video games make loners and anti-social people. This is not true, other people make someone into a loner or anti-social individual. Yes, some video games are single player only and do not allow others a chance to play together. Gamers actually want to socialize more than most people think. A survey performed suggests that someone with a history of video games is more likely to think and care for the team then someone with little to no video game history. Gamers actually seek social interaction in video games because they aren't able to socialize in real life, not because they don't want to socialize with anyone. (Beck, Wade 2003 pp.109-112)

Most games today require people to work as a team. Massively Multilayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG) like World of Warcraft require a bunch a people to group up in game so they can tackle big dungeons and its impossible bosses. If these gamers do not work as a team and do their own thing they will fail over and over again. Once they start talking and planning and start getting along they start to succeed and are finally able to beat the last boss and get some sweet treasure. This lesson can be applied to real life team situations. If a team is not communicating effectively they will fail, but as long as they communicate and work together the project will more than likely be a success.

Video games today can give individuals effective team building and leadership skills. “Look at World of Warcraft: You’ve got 11-year-olds who are learning to delegate responsibility, promote teamwork and steer groups of people toward a common goal.” (Ian Bogost, Steinberg 2012 pg 16). “Today, major companies use games in advertising and branding, while others such as IBM, Cisco and Hilton Hotels even use games for training managers and corporate leaders.” (Steinberg 2012 p.15) “Being a guild leader is actually a very challenging job, and studies have shown that the skills needed to run a large guild are similar to the skills needed to succeed in modern business. However, given their collaborative nature, participation in guilds inherently involves interaction with other players, including friends and/or strangers.” (Steinberg 2012 p.48)

Video games have taught gamers three crucial traits that would make them excellent leaders. One such trait is the ability to know when to take risks, the second trait is the ability to adapt quickly and to be flexible, and the third trait is that video games give gamers the perspective of being a leader. (Beck, Wade 2003 p.155)

Video games teach people that they have to takes some risk to succeed. They teach by trial and error. The player might have to dash in and attack the boss to defeat it even if there is a chance the player will die. Instead of being safe outside of the boss’s attack range, but at the same time doing no damage to the boss, thus going nowhere and never proceeding. Video games also teach the player that they need to adapt and react quickly or they will lose the game. An example would be when a level of the game starts to fill with lava and they only have a few seconds to react before they die. They must quickly analyze the map and find the quickest route to safety. Video games also give people a perspective of what it’s like to be a boss. Games like Madden series teach people what it like to manage a football team, you make the plays and decisions that could untimely win the game. A lot of games focus on strategic thinking needed for leaders, these games are called strategy games they force the player to take on the role of a president or a famous general to command an entire civilization or army. They learn that they need resources to make their followers stronger and that certain strategies work better on certain enemies than other enemies.

Leaders need a sense that things can get better and they have to be pass that feeling onto their followers, video games give gamers that sense. “The more time you spend playing video games the more you believe that things can be made better. Presented with this statement, “My life could be happier than it is now,” nearly 70 percent of frequent gamers from this generation agree.” (Beck, Wade 2003. 161) Most video games you play start off with something bad happening and it is up to the hero to make everything right.

Gamers think differently. Gamers know that the world is constantly changing and that they have to change with it. If video games have taught anything it is that different enemies require different tactics to defeat. Just like in the real world people need to use different tactics to tackle different problems. You can’t just use the same method for everything and gamers know that. (Beck, Wade 2003 pg155-157).

Conclusion

Video games can be beneficial to everyone when used properly. There are so many benefits to playing video games it is impossible to list them all. Video games can help students learn by engaging the students in fun and educational activities. They can help the military simulate dangerous situations and train soldiers without endangering their lives. Also video games can help kids build excellent team building and leaders skills. These are just a few example of the many benefits that playing video games provide.

Video games can be beneficial when used in moderation just like everything else. They can help with educational learning, they can simulate dangerous and or costly situations in a cheap and safe manner, and also help build social and leadership skills.
References

1. Bouchard, S., Bernier, F., Boivin, É., Morin, B., & Robillard, G. (2012). Using Biofeedback while Immersed in a Stressful Videogame Increases the Effectiveness of Stress Management Skills in Soldiers. Plos ONE, 7(4), 1-11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036169

2. Gee, J. P. (2003). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

3. Beck, C. (2006). The kids are alright : How the gamer generation is changing the workplace. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School.

4. Stienberg, S. The Parents Guide to Kids and Video Games. Retrieved from http://www.parentsguidebooks.com/TheModernParentsGuidetoKidsandVideoGames. Pdf

5. Klein, S. (July 5, 2010). Study: Too many video games may sap attention span. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/07/05/games.attention/index.html

6. Lieberman, M. (2010). Four Ways to Teach with Video Games. Retrieved from http://currents.cwrl.utexas.edu/2010/lieberman_four-ways-to-teach-with-video-games

7. Din, S, F., & Calao, J. (2001). The Effects Of Playing Educational Video Games On Kindergarten Achievement. In Child Study Journal (Volume 31). Retrieved from http://clem.mscd.edu/~sandersc/3310%20ed%20video%20article.pdf