Understanding Why Online Games For Children Can Be Educational?

Answer 1

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How Video Gaming Affects Education

Online games for children have often been categorized as being exploitative, shallow or a waste of time. This reputation has been largely earned because of the general stereotype of online games that has existed for a decade or more. There certainly are online games for children that are not substantive and that are geared towards capturing the spending power of the parents. There are also some games that are just advertisements for toys or television shows. A number of games do exist, however, that have been developed by educators, psychologists and other professionals with the intention of providing a rich and rewarding learning experience for children.

Online games can help a child to learn a variety of different subjects. The format of online games provides a structure that is conducive for learning. Children are attracted to games because of the fanciful graphics, interesting sounds and interactive components that allow a child to control what is happening within the game. This captures the attention of the child who then engages with the game. The actual content of most online games is wrapped in some type of narrative that encourages the child to achieve a certain goal or perform a certain task.

The narrative is what draws the attention of the child. The actual tasks or games that must be played to move through the narrative are unimportant when it comes to content. The child will learn the rules of the online game and then work to overcome obstacles using those rules. Well designed educational online games make the rules of the game math, science, reading and other basic topics. Advancing the narrative could involve solving addition problems, matching letters or answering basic questions about science or history. The drive to advance the narrative of the game makes the child willing to learn the rules that are presented and to integrate the information so the game can be mastered.

Another unique aspect that makes online games good for the education of children is that they present a medium that can combine factual learning with other important concepts such as cognitive thinking, hand-eye coordination and abstract abilities. The best way for children to learn through online games is to play them under the supervision of parents who can answer questions and direct children away from games that have no educational value.