After watching both the videos and reading over the presentation, I have a more positive impression of video games and their effects on children's intellectual and social lives.
Before looking at these resources, I have always thought of video games as an individual hobby that isolates children from their peers; I have always assumed that children who play video games are less social than children that don't. From the "Teens, Games, and Civics" presentation I have learned that is not the case. 76% of gamers play video games socially; they either play with friends physically in the room with them or with online friends. During these games they are communicating about the game, strategizing, and providing feedback to each other. They are building social skills.
I had never considered that video games could actually improve intellectual skills. From the video "Your Brain on Video Games" I learned that you can use video games to train the brain; that cognitive function can be improved, and the positive results can last months. You don't just learn these skills and forget; you retain the information.
In the video "Are Video Games Making Kids Smart" they talk about how the brain releases dopamine when a gamer overcomes a challenging situation. Children are given a problem and they must think critically and consider all the possible solutions. When they succeed in the challenge the dopamine gives them an intrinsic reward; they are excited and proud of themselves for completing their goal. This kind of intrinsic reward is a great motivator for kids to want to take on challenges and solve problems.
I have gained an appreciation for video games and their effects on the children that play them. These resources show that video games are not only a fun hobby for kids; they are a way for kids to socialize with others who have similar interests, and also learn at the same time.
Now go out and convince other educators about the benefits of video games (in moderation of course)!
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