Op-Ed: How much do kids learn from ‘educational’ video games? A ratings system could address that
Op-Ed: How much do kids learn from ‘educational’ video games? A ratings system could address that
Op-Ed: How much do kids learn from ‘educational’ video games? A ratings system could address that
By Daniel T. Willingham
May 11, 2021
Summary
The average American child between 8 and 18 played video games for an hour and 20 minutes a day, and if my kids are representative, that figure skyrocketed this past year.
Like many parents, I gave in to increased gaming time but gravely told my children they should choose educational games.
The Entertainment Software Rating Board rates games for objectionable content like sex and violence.
Most educational games don't simply teach academic content and test kids to be sure they've got it.
People have long believed that games can make you smarter if they're mentally challenging.
Today, some games are designed to tax working memory - the ability to juggle information in the mind.
Playing such games makes you better only at similar games; it doesn't strengthen working memory.
A game may showcase a painstakingly accurate rendering of the Notre Dame Cathedral, but the player needn't learn about the architecture to succeed in the game.
Some reviewers laud the educational value, but the laws of physics are so unintuitive, it's more likely gamers play by trial and error.
An obvious concern is that the industry will deem every game educational, even if learning is limited to "Increased thumb dexterity." But the Entertainment Software Rating Board, which has rated games for objectionable content since 1994, has avoided bias and earned praise from the Federal Trade Commission.
Reference
Willingham , D. T. (2021, May 11). Op-Ed: How much do kids learn From 'educational' video games? A ratings system could address that. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-05-11/video-game-learning-board