Are Video Games Really Educational?

[shadowmaks]

Originally Posted by Mugen

Like Leapfrog? I love that learning facility.

Well, Leapfrog is supposed to be educational. It's for little kids. Wait, didn't they do something with the Wii? Now I remember, they opened fitness centers where kids go to play Wii and get an exercise. Dam, it looks like video games are being the future, doesn't it.

[analogZero]

Well there are skills and general knowledge to be had from some video games. Some are idol amusement, however. For those that encourage, for example: organization, data management, reaction, coordination, sound judgment, as well as idealogical and psychological advancements I'd have to say that perhaps they're slower learning tools. I mean you're not going to learn math, rhetoric, or even business skills from video games, or at least not at the rate that you would if you put your nose into a book on the subject. I'd say they're good to reinforce or introduce you to new educational practices, but they're not sturdy enough to lean on.

[nata555]

Sometimes.There are games that taught me wisdom and strategy while others are just fun.

[moffetto]

ive been able to answer a bucn of question about japanese history thanx to games

[shadowmaks]

Now that I think about it. I was learning math when I was 6. You know, in those games that have turn-by-turn commands. Looking back, I find this very funny. Video games still have those negatives thou.

[Valor]

Not all Games are educational.
Either way they are fun, I'm not bothered whether they teach me anything or not - as long as they keep me entertained. =D

[jyuukai]

Of course they are! They teach us valuable skills on what to do and what not to do in certain situations. For example, if zombies invaded your town, you'd know what to do if you played Resident Evil

[Koopaking]

Who the hell plays games in order to learn things?

[mikesword]

Blazing Aces lists all the air battles & historic events that took place during world war II.

[Felix42]

I know when Iceland left Denmark because i played Heart of Iron II.
Europa Universalis, Civilization, Age of Empires 2 and the Total War series have taught me different things about history. Then there's strategy.
Ofc this isn't knowledge i use much, but it did help me a little during high school history and playing Trivial Pursuit.

A book might be better though, and personally i don't think you learn much from FPS games.