Unless you have lived under a rock for the past ten years, you must have noticed that there is a technological revolution in education. Computers, tablets, and smartphones have entered the classrooms and changed the way how students study. This new paradigm is embraced by high school and college students, and they are much more advanced in using and understanding the technology than the previous generation. Often, much more advanced than their teachers too. It is estimated that in 2018-2019, up to 75% of learning activity in American schools and colleges was technology-assisted. Yet, parents are justifiably concerned that computer-based learning contributes to technology addiction and many parents are very upset about their children spending free time submerged into their computers, especially when they play games. The concern is so widespread that the term “gaming addiction” is now included in the DSM-5 diagnostic manual by the American Psychiatric Association.
However, video games, even though not always approved by parents, if used in moderation, provide not only entertainment value but have also been found to help children to develop in physical, educational, and social ways.
In child development and education, spatial-reasoning and visual-spatial skills have an important role. These skills enable students to excel at geometry. An added benefit is better navigational skills and improved ability to perform mental manipulations of objects and shapes. Playing video games is one of the easiest ways to grow these skills. Many multi-player games also help develop strategic thinking and planning as a player has to anticipate opponents' possible moves and strategies. Some researchers even claim that video games improve intelligence. A study conducted by the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California Irving showed that students who played 3D computer games (such as “Super Mario 3D World”) for two weeks before the IQ test scored higher in the test than the control group. The most notable difference was the 12% improvement in working memory.
This finding is not entirely surprising. Since the late-90s, neuroscientists claimed that video games improve working memory and attention. Most memory training programs such as Cogmed, CogniFit, and Lumosity take the form of video games.
Whether we want it or not, gaming is now an essential part of modern childhood. Yet, most parents have focused so much on the prospective dangers of video games that they completely ignore their beneficial aspects.
There is no doubt that gaming addiction is a real and dangerous condition. By helping children select appropriate video games, parents can ensure that the time spent in front of the screen is not wasted but rather contributes to a child’s growth and academic success. At the end of this post, I listed some of the best video and computer games selected based on a combination of educational and entertainment value. After all, if the game is boring, your child wouldn't play it and no amount of parental motivation will help.
Multiple studies show that well-designed video games not only help in the brain development of a child by increasing brain size and connectivity, but they also enhance their creativity through negotiations, planning, trying, and using different approaches when playing the games.
Children also have an interest in history and culture sparked in them by the content of the games, especially those games that are story-based. Because of the competitiveness aspects, some of these games even motivate children to spend time on additional research to score higher in the game. One example of such a game is Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, this game requires players to draw and exchange adventure maps.
Social skills and collaborations are developed in games where players are tasked with having to work with each other to accomplish quests. During these missions, players also have to think critically to be able to solve novel problems presented in the games in an instant. The development of critical thinking is key in the pursuit of many fields like science, engineering, humanities, and math.
Mobile art creation could be another beneficial field for computer applications. It has all the benefits of contemporary art without the dirt. We know that art projects are very engaging for children, and we have seen how deeply involved they get during artistic undertakings. Research shows that art creation expands the ability of children to interact with their environment, at the same time allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Art not only helps in developing the right side of the brain but also nurtures important skills that are beneficial for the child’s development. Through art, a child can develop life skills whilst having fun.
When a child paints or draws a picture or creates clay figures, the child is communicating visually. The non-verbal expression is very important and many child therapists use art as a form of understanding what is going on in the mind of a child. Much like video games, computer art develops problem-solving skills as children generate ideas, test possibilities, and work through the challenges. Art applications also develop fine motor skills as the child gains control of navigating the canvass using a touch screen or mouse.
Despite all these potential benefits, the most critical point is moderation. A moderate amount of gaming helps relieve stress, while too much time spent in front of the screen causes tiredness and fatigue. Multi-player games or games played together with friends help develop social skills. However, it is prudent to note that the health impact of sedentary behavior can be quite drastic. Too much gaming may negatively affect sleep, academic results, social skills, and cause your child to become overweight. As a parent, you have to be in control, and keep tabs on what games your child is playing and how much time he or she spends in front of the screen.
To conclude, here is my list of top 25 educational games that your child will enjoy playing:
- Glitchspace
- Civilization VI
- Hack 'n' Slash
- TuxMath
- Pygame Games
- Factorio
- Human Resource Machine
- Infinifactory
- Total War: Rome II
- Minecraft: Education Edition
- Minetest
- TIS-100
- Portal 2
- HyperRogue
- Money Mavericks
- MentalUP
- Kerbal Space Program
- SpaceChem
- Epistory - Typing Chronicles
- Money Mavericks
- Pictionary
- Sugar
- Zoombinis
- Starfall
- Big Brain Academy