Using action video games to enhance reading skills in children
Using action video games to enhance reading skills in children
Using action video games to enhance reading skills in children
January 17, 2022
By Emily Henderson
Summary
With this in mind, a video game was designed that combines action video games with mini games that train different executive functions, such as working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility, functions that are called upon during reading.
The Raku flies through a meteor shower, moving around to avoid those or aiming at them to weaken their impact, while collecting useful resources for the rest of the game, a bit like what you find in action video games."
The action video game requires children to perform tasks within a time limit such as remembering a sequence of symbols or responding only when the Raku makes a specific sound while increasing the difficulty of these tasks according to the child's performance.
The children then followed the training with either the action video game or the control game, for six weeks, two hours a week under supervision at school.
"We found a 7-fold improvement in attentional control in the children who played the action video game compared to the control group", says Angela Pasqualotto.
Will the benefits of action video games on reading acquisition extend to such complex learning environments as reading in French or English? This is the question that this study will help answer.
Enhancing reading skills through a novel video game mixing action mechanics and cognitive training.
Reference
Henderson, E. (2022, January 17). Using action video games to enhance reading skills in children. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220117/Using-action-video-games-to-enhance-reading-skills-in-children.aspx