Jonathan Shariat

12/11/09

English

Play Games

“Just five more minutes!” A common cry from kids as they are pried off their gaming systems. Parents, as well as most of the general public, look down on gaming as a waste of time. Gaming has gotten a bad rap from boys who spend too much time entrenched in their games and most people equate it with meaningless accomplishments. However, gaming is a form of play; where we learn and improve on our skills. Play is the way babies learn the most basic lessons to live life. Games teach us things that books and teachers cannot. I submit that games are the best and most productive form of entertainment.

Gaming via the computer or modern consoles such as the Play Station 3, X Box360, or Wii are advanced forms of a basic human instinct: Play. Play is often defined as “Non-serious discourse.” (Huizinga) It is the way both humans and animals learn. Lion cubs learn to hunt by first wrestling and playing with their cub siblings before they are old enough to go out on hunts. Human babies get ready for walking by playing with their feet. They kick, jump, and hit toys with their legs and soon their legs are strong enough and skilled enough to attempt walking. Playing is all about non-serious ventures in learning. We are able to test out the waters so to speak. In our modern forms, which are gaming systems, the play becomes more complex and the benefits increase.  When people sit down and play a game they are not just relaxing but engaging in play. So what do video games teach kids?

Video Games teach kids a multitude of lessons that they will use in life. One of these is economics. Many of these games contain buying and selling mechanics. Some of these, especially simulation and real-time strategy games, teach economics very well. The idea of supply and demand comes easy for some, but to many others, the concept is tough to wrap their head around. Yet, in these games, players are taught this life mechanic through play. They buy and sell armor on an auction house, they save up coins to buy a rare item, or they barter with other players, all the while learning about economics. They are able to interact with a non-threatening economy and see the effects of their actions. Another lesson that games teach is critical thinking. The ability to asses a situation and judge what the best course of action is. This is an example of something that can not be taught by books or by a teacher explaining. Critical thinking must be developed by putting it into action. Playing with Video Games puts players in the heat of the moment and allows them to develop the critical thinking skill in  a non-threatening and playful way. Games that require players to think on the fly like real time strategy or action games. Players must form plans of action in order to accomplish a goal. Their minds are conditioned to think critically on the fly. Many games, especially those set in medieval times, teach kids a plethora of vocabulary words. Players are exposed to new words in context of the world they are playing in. In this way they are learning their meanings and expanding their vocabulary with out even knowing. Many of these games now include online play, where players connect with people around the world. This adds a new dynamic to the benefits of playing video games. Gamers learn to interact with people they would never be able to meet and engage them in play. They talk to other kids from China, Korea, England, Russia, South Africa, and many more. They are exposed to people from other cultures and are able to better identify with others around the world. This dynamic also allows for gamers to learn leadership. Games such as  Massively Multi-Player Online Games or “MMO’s” allow for thousands of players to play in the same game world at the same time. These players must work together to accomplish the highest goals in these games. From a group of six to an army of hundreds players must organize themselves in order to accomplish the highest and most coveted game content. Here players learn how to lead others. A skill that is highly coveted by the business and political worlds. Through real experiences with other players they learn how to manage a group of people. Even when they fail, they learn the pit falls of being controlling or not controlling enough. Most people are not given the opportunity to lead, but these games enable people to have a taste and learn how to leader others. They must organize, plan, schedule, and execute in order to beat the objective. Here players also learn how to work as a team. They must learn how to work as a fluid machine so that they can do greater feats. Lastly, video games improve visual skills. In many studies, people who played first person shooters had better over all hand eye coordination and could distinguish between the lightest difference between shades of grey. (Neuroscience) Even though the player is using a controller or mouse the motor skills and brain power is still improved. They are able to track movements with their eye better and react faster. All together, the benefits of playing video games are plentiful and needed.

Now gaming is not all educational glory. Players who put in too much time are not only wrongly allotting their time but the benefits level off with the time spent. Time spent in a book or a class room is far better spent time than in a game world or behind a controller. However, it must be remembered that gaming is play. It is a form of entertainment. Gaming, when compared to all other forms of entertainment, is the best time spent. Entertainment such as movies, T.V. and live shows, require no interaction from the viewer. They just sit back and consume, while people who play games are conditioned to engage and interact.  Even something like building and racing model cars would benefit a person less than playing video games because playing video games offers a different sets of skills to the participant. Games are not in place of learning but an alterative to other wonderfully wasteful forms of entertainment. It entertain, relaxes, and distresses the player while they learn.

Another harsh comment heard from the anti-gamers, those who show instant disgust to anything gaming related, is that playing games is anti-social. However, this could not be farther from the truth. People who play games play with others more often than not. This trend is growing too as new game titles offer more online content, meaning the ability to play the game online with others. Gamers are able to keep in touch through out the work or school week and with those friends who are far away. Many games are meant to be played with those beside you as well and is a popular use of the gaming consoles. First person shooters,”platformers”, and fighting games are the most popular. People who play games love to do so with others. The time spent with these people is well spent as well. You can get to know a lot about some one in the, fake, heat of battle. These gaming systems bring people together in a special way. Parents connecting with their kids over a game of Wii tennis, or getting to exchange punches with a friend from over seas. Playing these games creates a great environment for people to connect.

So next time a person playing video games asks for just five more minutes perhaps it might be a good idea to let them. Even though gaming is generally looked down upon as a waste of time it is actually an excellent use of relaxation time. It teaching people real life lessons and hones their mental and physical skills that they can use to be more successful in life. In this age of technology we must not allow ourselves to be put off by these new technologies. They are our gateway to this new age and our best teachers to live there. So turn off the T.V., stop browsing the Internet, turn off the radio, and go play a video game and become a better person.

Works Cited:

Huizinga J. (1949) Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Nature Neuroscience. Vol. 7. London: Nature Group, 2009. Print. Ser. 12.

Kopytoff, Verne. “Kids gain valuable skills from time online.” San Fransisco Gate. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BUKE147TA1.DTL>.

Play Games

“Just five more minutes!” A common cry from kids as they are pried off their gaming systems. Parents, as well as most of the general public, look down on gaming as a waste of time. Gaming has gotten a bad rap from boys who spend too much time entrenched in their games and most people equate it with meaningless accomplishments. However, gaming is a form of play; where we learn and improve on our skills. Play is the way babies learn the most basic lessons to live life. Games teach us things that books and teachers cannot. I submit that games are the best and most productive form of entertainment.

Gaming via the computer or modern consoles such as the Play Station 3, X Box360, or Wii are advanced forms of a basic human instinct: Play. Play is often defined as “Non-serious discourse.” (Huizinga) It is the way both humans and animals learn. Lion cubs learn to hunt by first wrestling and playing with their cub siblings before they are old enough to go out on hunts. Human babies get ready for walking by playing with their feet. They kick, jump, and hit toys with their legs and soon their legs are strong enough and skilled enough to attempt walking. Playing is all about non-serious ventures in learning. We are able to test out the waters so to speak. In our modern forms, which are gaming systems, the play becomes more complex and the benefits increase.  When people sit down and play a game they are not just relaxing but engaging in play. So what do video games teach kids?

Video Games teach kids a multitude of lessons that they will use in life. One of these is economics. Many of these games contain buying and selling mechanics. Some of these, especially simulation and real-time strategy games, teach economics very well. The idea of supply and demand comes easy for some, but to many others, the concept is tough to wrap their head around. Yet, in these games, players are taught this life mechanic through play. They buy and sell armor on an auction house, they save up coins to buy a rare item, or they barter with other players, all the while learning about economics. They are able to interact with a non-threatening economy and see the effects of their actions. Another lesson that games teach is critical thinking. The ability to asses a situation and judge what the best course of action is. This is an example of something that can not be taught by books or by a teacher explaining. Critical thinking must be developed by putting it into action. Playing with Video Games puts players in the heat of the moment and allows them to develop the critical thinking skill in  a non-threatening and playful way. Games that require players to think on the fly like real time strategy or action games. Players must form plans of action in order to accomplish a goal. Their minds are conditioned to think critically on the fly. Many games, especially those set in medieval times, teach kids a plethora of vocabulary words. Players are exposed to new words in context of the world they are playing in. In this way they are learning their meanings and expanding their vocabulary with out even knowing. Many of these games now include online play, where players connect with people around the world. This adds a new dynamic to the benefits of playing video games. Gamers learn to interact with people they would never be able to meet and engage them in play. They talk to other kids from China, Korea, England, Russia, South Africa, and many more. They are exposed to people from other cultures and are able to better identify with others around the world. This dynamic also allows for gamers to learn leadership. Games such as  Massively Multi-Player Online Games or “MMO’s” allow for thousands of players to play in the same game world at the same time. These players must work together to accomplish the highest goals in these games. From a group of six to an army of hundreds players must organize themselves in order to accomplish the highest and most coveted game content. Here players learn how to lead others. A skill that is highly coveted by the business and political worlds. Through real experiences with other players they learn how to manage a group of people. Even when they fail, they learn the pit falls of being controlling or not controlling enough. Most people are not given the opportunity to lead, but these games enable people to have a taste and learn how to leader others. They must organize, plan, schedule, and execute in order to beat the objective. Here players also learn how to work as a team. They must learn how to work as a fluid machine so that they can do greater feats. Lastly, video games improve visual skills. In many studies, people who played first person shooters had better over all hand eye coordination and could distinguish between the lightest difference between shades of grey. (Neuroscience) Even though the player is using a controller or mouse the motor skills and brain power is still improved. They are able to track movements with their eye better and react faster. All together, the benefits of playing video games are plentiful and needed.

Now gaming is not all educational glory. Players who put in too much time are not only wrongly allotting their time but the benefits level off with the time spent. Time spent in a book or a class room is far better spent time than in a game world or behind a controller. However, it must be remembered that gaming is play. It is a form of entertainment. Gaming, when compared to all other forms of entertainment, is the best time spent. Entertainment such as movies, T.V. and live shows, require no interaction from the viewer. They just sit back and consume, while people who play games are conditioned to engage and interact.  Even something like building and racing model cars would benefit a person less than playing video games because playing video games offers a different sets of skills to the participant. Games are not in place of learning but an alterative to other wonderfully wasteful forms of entertainment. It entertain, relaxes, and distresses the player while they learn.

Another harsh comment heard from the anti-gamers, those who show instant disgust to anything gaming related, is that playing games is anti-social. However, this could not be farther from the truth. People who play games play with others more often than not. This trend is growing too as new game titles offer more online content, meaning the ability to play the game online with others. Gamers are able to keep in touch through out the work or school week and with those friends who are far away. Many games are meant to be played with those beside you as well and is a popular use of the gaming consoles. First person shooters,”platformers”, and fighting games are the most popular. People who play games love to do so with others. The time spent with these people is well spent as well. You can get to know a lot about some one in the, fake, heat of battle. These gaming systems bring people together in a special way. Parents connecting with their kids over a game of Wii tennis, or getting to exchange punches with a friend from over seas. Playing these games creates a great environment for people to connect.

So next time a person playing video games asks for just five more minutes perhaps it might be a good idea to let them. Even though gaming is generally looked down upon as a waste of time it is actually an excellent use of relaxation time. It teaching people real life lessons and hones their mental and physical skills that they can use to be more successful in life. In this age of technology we must not allow ourselves to be put off by these new technologies. They are our gateway to this new age and our best teachers to live there. So turn off the T.V., stop browsing the Internet, turn off the radio, and go play a video game and become a better person.

Works Cited:

Huizinga J. (1949) Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Nature Neuroscience. Vol. 7. London: Nature Group, 2009. Print. Ser. 12.

Kopytoff, Verne. “Kids gain valuable skills from time online.” San Fransisco Gate. Web. 12 Dec. 2009. <http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/19/BUKE147TA1.DTL>.