Video Games

Tonight in class we discussed video games and the impact they have on learning, but we only discussed the new games. I was raised with Atari and the original Nintendo. These game systems were very basic but appealing because that's all there was. They didn't really have much to teach you and looking back now pong and space invaders certainly aren't as appealing as they once were. The children today are very lucky because there are so many options and the games available aren't all for amusement, some are educational. Both of my children have had Leap Frog and V-Smile products that seem like games to them, but are at the same time educational and help develop their motor skills at a very young age. Even as they get older there are so many games that can be downloaded to an iPod or tablet. Something as simple as bejeweled with so many variations appeals to kids, and while it might be amusing it does have a small learning aspect. It makes them think and challenges them to match the colors or shapes trying to clear the rows, to me this is similar to when I had Tetris. Yes there are some game that teach us nothing and are purely for entertainment, but there are plenty of games out there that can be entertaining and educational.