The Benefits Of Video Games Is A Waste Of Time

In today’s society video games have a large influence on people. We also might be driven to the point of where we are dependent on them. In fact, being so engulfed in video games could help children become more focused.In fact, parents would probably disagree and say that video games wouldn’t be essential to learning because it would probably be considered a waste of time for children and time-consuming. Parents would also disagree with the content of what is in the game, but there is a great possibility that video games could actually make us smarter. Steven Johnson explains that the games we are used to playing can improve our visual intelligence and that it would be good to learn new strategies through gaming. Video games should be an

"Researchers at the University of Rochester found that young adults who regularly played action-based video games showed better visual skills than those who didn't" (USA Today). Researchers have also found that the subjects who played video games "were better able to keep track of objects appearing simultaneously and processed fast-changing visual information more efficiently" (USA Today). Video games have made it a long way from when they first started. Some games actually teach children how to read, write, and even count. Teenagers also state that a little gaming after school actually helps take some stress off from classes and the overload of homework.

While there are claims that video games are not beneficial, it is quite reasonable to assume they are. Video game-based learning has become prominent in the world of technology. Crocco states that popular video games are “problem-solving adventures that foster engagement, inquiry, and critical thinking.” The inquiry and critical thinking mentioned by Crocco, paired with the engagement of the player, allow for increased proficiency in those areas. Additionally, Bowen insists that games, including violent games, allow for an expansion of child’s learning along with health and social skills. For example, video games enhance one’s problem solving skills, reasoning, memory, and perception. Although learning is often associated with pure knowledge, children are able to learn socially as well. Since the world is becoming increasingly technology-based, it is convenient for children to learn through technology.

Video games have become a very popular hobby that anyone can obtain the skill at any point of people’s lives. Video games are a game played by electronically influencing images produced by a computer program on a television screen. In October 1958, William Higinbotham has created the very first videogame. Studies have shown that video games are actually healthy, and these studies can prove wrong what the older generations assume about video games. Although, older people that grew up with a different hobby that was not video games, there many things that videogames can help improve certain skills a human can strengthen.

Did you know that the first video game was made in 1958, 58 years ago? The first video game was a simple tennis game, created by Physicist William Higinbotham. This video game was minuscule, only five inches in diameter! Video games have come a very long way, with improved graphics, and they have become more complex.

Video games can train the human brain so it become strong and faster at thinking. Since video games have fast action paced content, they become a virtually gym for your brain. Also, because of the action in a game there are a lot of eye hand coordination and quick problem solving skills involved in playing a game. The article “Are video games bad for me?” says“... can improve eye-hand coordination, problem solving skills, and the mind’s ability to process information.” This quote shows the many quick skills one person can improve by playing video games such as eye hand coordination, problem solving skills and the mind’s ability to process information. The quick skills that are need to play video games can be practiced and learned by play video games. Considering this, the number of things video games can teach children are

Moreover, Johnson says that the video games are a good challenge for children’s brains. Through video games and difficult puzzles children are developing higher senses such as a better mind-body coordination and also a higher reflex to the outside

“During the 1940s and the 1950s, computers took up entire rooms and were so expensive that only universities and large companies could afford them” (Behring 1). Being as that, computers were too expensive to obtain to be able to create a game, “students Steve Russell and his friends” used their school’s computer to create the “dueling game between two spaceships”, called “Spacewar”. (Behring 1) They game began to be used at other universities that also had computer programs. Ralph Baer who was an engineer, considered using the television to play video games on. Baer then created the first video games for the television in 1967(Behring2). Once the first games were created more games followed. Then what would be known as the gaming industry by a “Nolan Bushnell”, who wanted to use they games for retail. The industry would grow within a short span of time in which the sales declined until evolved games would once again rise sales and future advancements.

“A new wave of research has found surprising advantages in an activity that many call a waste of time, if not an outright menace”(Paragraph 5). Some video games can be very helpful like math games and grammar games. Video games are considered a waste of time, but it can be very helpful in education and in many other ways. “Scientists have recently linked gaming with increased brain power, making better moral decisions and even physical fitness”(Paragraph 6) Video games are being proven to help people make better choices. On the other hand, they also have been linked with fitness and strength. This said, video games are improving daily life and

Video games were originated first in laboratories by scientists. “This first idea came from their imaginations in late 1940s but unfortunately it did not reach the people as they were confined only to laboratories. This situation was observed till early 1970s until arcade games became popular.Then later on a new start-up named “Atari” unleashed a new

The first video game, Spacewar, was created by three MIT students in 1961 (Johnson, 215). Spacewar involved two players flying spaceships and firing torpedoes at one another. Johnson takes a more optimistic take on technology, in comparison to Carr. He discusses how video games contributed to the entertainment aspect of technology and computers, which now generates $100 billion in sales (Johnson, 217-218). Programmers could now take a more creative route, fulfilling magical worlds that could be accessed by players around the world.

In today’s society, the concerns for the effects of video games have acquired quite a terrible reputation. Worried parents around the world assume video games make their children do poorly in school, and create violent, desensitized, antisocial children. The increase in violent games, usually get the blame for aggressive behavior, shootings and violence in schools and young individuals. Most beliefs about video games effect on the brain and emotions are very common misconceptions. I strongly believe that video games are an essential tool to learning and gaining much-needed skills. When people look at the studies that have been done on video games and the brain, it will be apparent that some myths about video games have been blown out of proportion. It has come to my attention that there are studies that prove the negative effects of video games may only last the duration of game play. Kids can improve in general knowledge with educational video games like Leap Frog. Video games can train specific areas of the brain as well as increase brain flexibility and memory. Gaming actually has more beneficial effects than negative effects. Video games are excellent educational implement used in elementary schools. It is extremely helpful in brain development and helping kids with trouble reading improve. Memory retention can be improved and increased with the use of strategic, thinking games. Video games, as funny as it might sound, even promote

Transition to Second Main Point: Video games can be used as a tool in schools, to help build teamwork, social skills, and critical thinking skills.

Video games are frowned upon by parents as time-wasters, and worse, some education experts think that these games corrupt the brain. Violent video games are easily blamed by the media and some experts as the reason why some young people become violent or commit extreme anti-social behavior. But many scientists and psychologists find that video games can actually have many benefits – the main one is making kids smart. Video games may actually teach kids high-level thinking skills that they will need in the future.

Video games can be used as instructional tools as well. They have positive elements and add value; they create a micro world of their own. The players act based on natural tendencies towards learning. Therefore, learning occurs while playing (Rosas et al., 2003).