Finally..Good news about video/computer games and kids. But we already know this.

From the New York Post March 19th.





 VIDEO MIND GAMES: COMPUTER PLAY MAKES KIDS SMART
By BILL HOFFMANN

March 19, 2002 -- Here\'s some news about computer games certain to delight kids and infuriate parents: Playing with an XBox or Playstation 2 may significantly help youngsters develop their thinking skills.

That\'s the word from educators who studied 700 children, ages 7 to 16, and found that the games offer several educational benefits.

Researchers from Teachers Investigating Educational Multimedia in England say even the kids\' mathematics, spelling and reading improved.

Also, communication and problem-solving skills were developed because children like to play in pairs and small groups.

Anne Sparrowhawk, who led the study, said educators should look at ways to integrate the games into curricula.

"These games can prove valuable in terms of strategic planning and logical thinking. They taught children to reach decisions about the best course of action in a situation," she said.

The study results fly in the face of many teachers\' views of computer games.

It\'s been argued the Computer Age has undermined book-based learning, and a recent survey found that most 15-year-old boys spend less than two hours a week reading books for pleasure.

That\'s compared with 11 hours a week watching television and nine playing computer games.

The researchers studied the RollerCoaster Tycoon game, where players build a theme park and choose to build one big ride or several small ones.

"Unlike the verdicts of teachers, it offers clear-cut conclusions about right and wrong which the children can\'t argue with," the study concluded.

In SimCity, where players build cities and create societies, the game is said to encourage children to develop logical thinking and to "recognize that life is not simple.":nerd:

[CHIZZY]

alla games make me smart. I like the tape about the guy who blows things up and steals carz. blood is funny.   :nerd:

good read man!!!! yeah i must become more brainer...i wont study ill play somemore ico....lol

Now we can have something to shove in adults face saying playing video games just makes us lazy, ok maybe it does but still.

That is so true if you think about it. I mean video games  on the ps2 or any console for that matter do stimulate the brain.

Its even better for younger children who are learning to read considering most console games have captions and what not (ex: Final Fantasy X or MGS2) which helps them better their reading skills. I mean if you were given a choice of reading a long book just to hone your reading skills wouldnt you rather play a video game that has captions which in effect betters your reading skills as you read along while you play.

Not only that but the decisions and choices a person can make in a game, gives them better decision making skills in the future. Just think about MGS2. How many ways could you kill the guards? You had so many ways and deciding how was just mind boggling.  :nerd:

Yup video games has become the new source of untapped knowledge. Soon it will not be the mathematicians or science majors that rule on top of the educational world, it will be the video game fanatics like you and me. MUHAHAHHAHAHAAH :eek:

we\'ll said Shingoku:cool:

I\'d think it would partially depend on the type of game actually.  The games they sited were strategy games, which do require a lot of thinking, problem solving, and the like.  However, some types of games, that involve little more than button jamming and such I\'d think would have little to no value.  RPGs, strategies, that\'s where it\'s at.

In summary, play Final Fantasy.  It\'s good and good for you!

[nO-One]

And Quake makes kids aiming better due to the wonders of the rail gun