Scientists Ask for Gaming Research Funding

Ars Technica reports on a request by the Federation of American Scientists to support videogaming in education through government grants. The request comes via a report stating that gaming promotes higher-level thinking, and may eventually give students an edge in the modern global workplace. From the article: "The panel determined that there are, in fact, skills learned by video games that are of value to today's employers, including 'strategic and analytical thinking, problem solving, planning and execution, decision-making, and adaptation to rapid change.' Additionally, they found that video games foster goal-setting, practice in patience, and even team building. Carefully noting that there is a difference between video games developed for entertainment versus education, the FAS's report says that an emphasis in learning in video games could greatly benefit future generations of workers."

Computers/Internet can assist learning...

I mean, if it wasn't for internet pron I would never have learned to type/mouse with my feet.

Re:

During many long nights of pacing up and down with a fussing newborn, I often thought about a mouse I could operate with my feet, so I could at least surf the web. Of course, by the time I had the mental acuity to do anything about it, the need passed.

They just want money for the casino

They just want money for the casino so they can hit big and never have to work again

Proofreaders needed at Ars Technica

The panel determined that there are, in fact, skills learned by video games that are of value to today's employers, including 'strategic and analytical thinking, problem solving, planning and execution, decision-making, and adaptation to rapid change.

Am I

Re:

If they had meant "skills learned by playing video games" they should have phrased it that way or by either phrasing it as "skills taught by playing video games" or "skills learned from video games" It is incorrect to use it as "skills learned by video ga

war games

There's a reason the military conducts wargames.

Re:

Wargame - A simulation, by whatever means, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces, using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or assumed real life situation." - Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory

Your tax dollars

are needed to buy gold for WoW.

It would be better if they just said that.

Heh

I'm a gamer, I play lots! I've definitely learned things in games that I've applied in the outside world. Gaming can train you in the application of the Art of War, a study of general conflict, not necessarily restricted to military clashes. And through gaming, these ideas are not just learned, but applied.) And if it weren't for gaming, I wouldn't know jack diddly about computers since I wouldn't need that knowledge to address bugs, keep windows clean, and keep my hardware updated.

But really, these are fairly small things that can be learned through many other channels that bring more to the table.

If gaming is to be used as an educational avenue it will need serious modification in order to add the lessons while still maintaining the addictive qualities that keep us playing. And thus far, I don't think I've seen any educational games that have really held to this. If you want me to learn when I'm trying to have fun, it better be damn fun. Otherwise, I'll save my learning for when I want to learn(or in the case of kids, for when I have to learn).

research requires funding

If gaming is to be used as an educational avenue it will need serious modification

The need for serious modification is what creates serious funding, most researchers i know spend as much time getting grants as doing actual research.

Ah ha!

Most brilliant scheme to afford a PS3 - EVER!

Thank Goodness!

I don't know how we'd ever get any educational benefit from video games without the government getting involved!

Re:

Perhaps the government can afford the PS3 when buying $200 hammers...

Has it come to this?

Is it just me, or are kids able to develop team building, goal setting, practice in patience, et al without video games? Call me crazy, but I would imagine that video games can further hinder children's attention spans and patience much like TV can. What

Re:

But video games ARE Hands-On activities. For the past 50 years, Children have been simply watching TV, instead of becoming actively involved in their entertainment. Video Games may well be the key to getting people to actually enjoy DOING THINGS again, ins

Re:

I think any benefit gained from playing games is inherent to the way that the brain improves itself. So, it's more a consequence of the fact that any time you're forced to think logically/critically about a situation and do so repeatedly over a long perio

Damnit

I knew I should have stayed in college.

Scientists begging for grant money

This is one story where Slashdot editors got the title right. The FAS report is nothing more than a request for government funding. There are some good points in the report but one blinding flash of the obvious that caught my eye was this conclusion: "Th

educational gaming

though the combination of words can cause the average gamer to shudder, if you think about it, a plethora of educational games exist in the world today, and many of us would not be who we are without them. Sure, there are the obvious examples of increased

While they're at it...

...I could use some money to build a new machine... ^^;