In contrast to what I wrote yesterday, it seems that even the pros think that computer games have what it takes to promote essential cognitive activity. The BBC reports on a NESTA Futurelab poll which found that a third of UK teachers have used computer games in their classrooms. The report also found that 59% of UK teachers would like to use more games for educational purposes. According to the article,
a large majority of teachers believe there are educational benefits: 91% thought they developed motor and cognitive skills, and 60% believed they would develop thinking skills and acquire specific knowledge.
Interestingly, half [CORRECTION: 28%] of the teachers surveyed also play games themselves. I'd like to see the age ranges of the teachers surveyed to see if this supports many peoples' argument that games will reach maturity once the, ahem, old codgers die out.
One element I found intriguing that the BBC article touched on only briefly, is that many teachers admitted that they are concerned about how games reinforce gender and national stereotypes.
The research comes from a project called Teaching With Games, a NESTA project which "aims to provide practical and informed evidence of the implications and potential of the use of these games in school." It's co-sponsored with Electronic Arts. The study is expected to finish in August.
