Office of Naval Research Highlights Benefits of Video Games
A report from the Office of Naval Research that is about 15 years too late for myself, but may be helpful for those half my age to wave in the face of their parents, was released this week that highlights the benefits of video games.
ONR claims that video games can help users “process information faster and improve their fundamental abilities to reason and solve problems in novel contexts.”
The ONR is discovering that many pre-conceived notions on brain plasticity (the ability for the brain to create new brain cells as it learns past ones teen years) may be entirely wrong. The researchers are actually finding those who play video games are increasing their brain plasticity.
Additionally, those that play can improve short-term memory and perception. Between a 10 and 20 percent boost in cognitive ability and perception is seen in test subjects.
One of the next steps in the program is to start experimenting with moving video games into other areas of education. Fraction football? Ratio Rally Racing? Philosophy First Person Shoot?
So the next time someone tells you that you’re just wasting your time playing video games. Just tell them that you’re “growing your brain”.
Leave your response!