The children of Generation Z have grown up with the internet being a huge part of their lives from day one. They are the most tech-savvy generation yet, and so much of what they learn comes from technology. Almost half of kids spend more than ten hours online every day, and they will have accumulated on average about 30,000 hours of gaming by the time they turn twenty. Instead of trying to separate kids from the technology that is such a huge part of their lives, many educators have instead learned to embrace high-tech methods of education, such as educational video games, game-based learning, and “blended learning” (the process of combining both technology and more traditional methods of teaching).
”Some continue to argue that gaming has a negative impact on kids’ ability to learn. This is in fact not the case and, if utilized properly, many video games and computer games can help children learn.
Here are some of the benefits of game-based learning:
1. It Helps with Hand-Eye Coordination
Using a game controller, keyboard, and/or a computer mouse to operate games can help strengthen hand-eye coordination in young people, which can translate into many other important areas. With so many of the technologies that we use in our day-to-day lives requiring savvy users with strong hand-eye coordination, getting children used to operating them at an early age has many advantages.
2. It Improves Problem-Solving & Strategic Thinking
Our educational video games require students to make fast, smart decisions. Most games also require players utilize strategic thinking and logic-based problem-solving in order to prevail. You’d be hard-pressed to find a reason why improving these skills in children would be a bad thing.
3. It Expands Memory Capacity
Memorization is often in play with many educational video games. Having a child work on building their memory skills has crossover benefits in many areas of life.
4. It Helps Kids Who Struggle with Attention Disorders
Perhaps surprisingly, research has shown that game-based learning and educational video games can actually help children who struggle to pay attention or focus. With so many children struggling to focus in school, who wouldn’t want to embrace educational methods which ease the burden of attention disorders in kids?
6. It Helps Kids Become More Computer-Literate
We live in a world where technology plays a major role in nearly every aspect of our lives. Getting children acclimated to technology through game-based learning will help them become more independent and self-reliant. Instead of shielding children from technology, getting them accustomed to it through game-based learning is a practical approach.
Those are only just a few of the many reasons why game-based learning and blended learning makes sense for children. Learning and technology shouldn’t be viewed as two competing things, but rather as partners in the fight to help educate children. At Game Learning, we put the “fun” into the fundamentals of learning history.
Game Learning educational video games transport players to pivotal moments in history, immersing students & players in historical subject matter by drawing upon their natural curiosity while nurturing soft skills, problem solving, and historical thinking. Contact us at info@gamelearning.com
