Can you learn anything from games?

My feelings are that kids should be restricted on their computer games. They need exercise and fresh air as well. They need to learn about nature and the importance of exercise. They need to run and climb, explore and shout... not be stuck in front of a computer for the majority of their lives. I think the day should be broken down into sections, also with chores added, because these too are a valuable lesson for later life. They should have a daily routine, something like this.... Get up, wash/shower and clean teeth. Breakfast Chores School Activity time outdoors (at least 90 minutes) Dinner Help with table clearing and washing up. Computer Games (no more than two hours) Wash/Shower and clean teeth I'm sure this would make for a much happier, healthier life for kids than sitting non-stop in front of a computer. Brightest Blessings my dear friend. Bed

Some PC games you can learn from. There is a game on the computer that I have played called Cash Cow. It teaches people how to count money fast. I let my brother see it and he liked it.

I have never had the time, or desire to play the games. However after seeing the hubpage link, that was quite interesting to say the least. Thanks for sharing it. I think it is good, but also, too much game playing no matter how educational, intelligent, or exciting and fun it may be, doesn't substitute inter socialization. Also, why did you get ripped off again? Are you turning this it? I hope so. Blessings my friend, M&M

i have been playing games since the atari games started in black and white on the tv screen with a knob console up til now but not that much into it and there is a common thing that i have learned:develop my reflexes.

I think you can learn from some games. There is a game that I have played called Cash Cow. It teaches people to count money fast. The beginning of your discussion is funny. I got a kick out of it, hehehe.

Wizzy I am not into games the only ones I play are in the briangle. or the same old solitare but I play solitare for speed and not for killing time so the most I might play is 3 mins. But I do love the suited spider solitare and freecell as some of the games keep me busy for an hour sometime. Otherwise I do not play much on the computer at all.But computer games are good if the children are taught about the good things one can learn from them, most of the kids just play the stupid games and not many are intrested in the real strategy ones where one will have to apply math and logic, and many still use cheat codes to break the tough ones making the whole point of playing quite worthless, its like they just want to get the scores and not learn the game! Through video games (the intelligent ones) one can learn strategy, planning, patience, intelligent decision making (how you deal with the enemy is more important than how to win the game) and logic. The 8 lessons that you talk about are absolutely true and if children actually take the time learn them then it is good! But there are ofcourse the bad games that can also cause children to become aggressive, depressed and a bully. Parents need to play the games first and then let their wards on to new games just to be sure that the games have no violence etc in them and the child actually might benefit from the video game. If you ask me all kinds of games are good but the outdoors one also help build one to be a team player, build a person's inner strength, teaches the children to wait for their turn, share, sacrifice and most of all the health benefits of an outdoor game to a video game is much more and hence I would prefer if children played outside but on a rainy day I would not mind if they played an hour or two of video games. My take video games are good till they can build a person's positive strengths. Wizzy I support you and hence went and checked out your site it is nice but I don't see myself playing it sorry to disappoint you. And I did read through your ripped again blog and I am sorry to read that you got ripped, plagiarism is a reality and most of the people think they will never get caught and this girl seems to be a senior member too! It just shows about her credibility as a member....but wizzy how did you even manage to trace this? that is quite a bit of detective work I must say... hats off to you! Also good luck on getting an apology hopefully..

There are many such games where childrens can learn while playing... I would not stop any children from playing and enjoying themselves...

I dont think there is any thing wrong in playing games whether its adults are children.Games are for entertainment and definetly will be entertaining you as much as you enjoy them.

Hey LW I took a look @ your page & found it very interesting. My son loves rpg's I'm gonna forward that link to him-I think he will really enjoy it too. I think games are a healthy thing for kids it increases hand eye coordination & focus. My son has been playing vidieo games since he could hold a controller LOL ps Sorry to hear ppl are ripping off your lines-just remember imitation is the most sincere form of flattery |;) +++

It does have some learning experiences like hand and body coordination since you have to use a lot of those when playing games online or not online. It also develops your thinking and analysis. Games do have some strategies you have to think and fast since you need to beat your opponent. It is a fun way to learn as they say.

Games are good atleast they are better than chatting. lol. I've played a couple of games and i've finished them.I have to say that they are really interesting. From what i learned from these games is that it improves your ability to concentrate and and grasp thing.And all these are essential for children to learn.Also you have to think fast for playing these games and thus helps you on that too.So i think its good for the mind but the only bad thing about games is ADDICTION.It makes them get addicted to it and that the only reason parents fear when kids play games.

Depends what the game is! I think there are good and bad games, some games will help with a childs education and co-ordination, others will teach to be violent and do bad things! So it is a case of selecting carefully. I go onto a really good family games site on the net that is FREE to join with the option of purchasing game downloads. Most of these will help kids in a fun way. This site is www.zylom.com I think it is also important to encourage the child/children to go out and do other things like sport and partake in family activities in general. Variety is best I think Lynn-Marie

My daughter has learned countless things from video games. You need to be aware of what games are good though, as with everything else for our kids. My kids only get about 1 hour of either video game or computer time, their choice. The usually switch off halfway so that's 30 min for each. They don't even ask lately because the weather has been so nice outside in Michigan this week. Once I set the rules and was firm they take it as a given and don't even beg for extra time. Video games and Internet are also the very first things to go when they lose privilages. Then T.V. Depending on the "crime" they are able to earn these back by doing an extra chore. So I am not too worried that they are becoming couch potatos. Yet!

I think it really depends on what game you are playing. For me, i really learn something from this game, mystery case files where i get to know something. For example, what a particular thing looks like...And for the game scrabble, where i get to learn a lot of words.

I did check your game out... And first let me tell you what a difficult little website that is. I could not download the game... Do you need to be a member to download? I could not find that information. That said... the right games can teach you a few things about life. SimCity not only provide you with the fun of building a city... but you have to build it according to what the people wants... otherwise you go broke. If anything... SimCity teaches you why the people have to pay taxes. Without taxes... you cannot have a city. Nascar Racing teaches you how a car handles and what you need to tune for it to handle. I also find that it is a good way to relieve my need for speed. Instead of racing on the road... I do it on the computer. Chess does not really teaches you anything... except for the fact that it defines how smart you are. It is a game of strategy and planning... with your opponent trying its best to wreck your plan. The game changes all the time and you need to be able to devise new strategies all the time. Not a boring moment. No matter how often you play... even if it is against the same partenaire... the game is always different.

There are some good things about gaming. My kids are into online games. For now, it is ragnarok and rf online. Personally, I don't understand any of these games. But games make the kids strategize a lot. Thus it sharpens their minds as to how to cope with difficult situations in order to win a battle. It also teaches them to have patience. They know that they have to be agressive in order to overcome the enemy but, the timing for the attacks will have to be at the right time and they must be properly armed. I find it okay for them to be playing for as long as, they know how to balance their time for play, socializing with friends and family, work and school. So they learn also about discipline - self discipline, that's what.

Well i dunno if i agree that all games are bad - my daughter isn't old enough to have a game console or anything yet but i plan on getting her the educational ones by LeapFrog &/or V-Smile, both teach little kids letters, numbers, words, sounds, shapes & stuff like that. If there's a chance it will help with her learning, then of course i will allow her to have it. I have no intention of letting her play it all the time or anything but if it helps with her education then i want to encourage her to learn. If it helps her to enjoy learning as well, then it really needs to be nurtured. I guess everyone has their own ways of educating so it will be different for each parent but i plan on doing anything i can to make sure she has the best education i can manage.

yeh sometime they do but maximum of time they don't teach us. The think which we learn from all games is that to try till we get succeed as we play games till they end. But the violence in games should not be accepted.

i love pc games/ i spend my time working in front of computer so when im tired i do always play games even simple flash games it makes me relax... im not old, im not child anymore... time management is one thing... some games has also lessons as u said but some are really not.. more on killing strategy how to win a battle...

Yes, a lot but if done for a long time then its harmfull. In studies, imagination, Co-ordination. And whatever i am saying is already proved in many fields.