The Importance of Video Game in Education
Video games have gained immense prominence in the last few decades, thanks largely to the support of technological advancements in both design and usability. Since its explosion into mainstream society in the mid- to late-70s and 80s, video games have become a main avenue allowing many people all across the world a way to destress and travel into fantasy realms. Whether its simulation games planned to live life in a virtual world or fitness activities designed to get the body moving and in shape, video games continue to develop and evolve. Most video game designers have seen a huge surge in creativity due to the wider capabilities found in available designing software.
 
Thanks to the Internet, video games have become even more popular among all age groups. Now, individuals no longer have to go to a multimedia store or general market to get the latest video game. In fact, thanks to immediate release downloads available from most online video game retailers, gamers can instantly download their video game on their computer following purchase. This instant gratification not only includes video games, but encompasses all product areas, from books to music. Although video games are mostly downloaded instantly by mainly teenage and young adults, an increasing number of older adults and elderly users are becoming more interested in these virtual recreation tools.
The elderly population may see a great benefit from many video games produced today, helping to improve reaction time, balance, and memory. Although these claims have yet to become conclusive, it is thought that certain memory activities, fitness video games, and light action games may be helpful in strengthening and/or maintaining a certain level of brain and bodily health. Building up reaction time may be becoming an increasingly well-known advantage for many young gamers today, especially those playing fast-moving action games that include certain aspects of fighting.
CEOs of the most popular action games, like Bobby Kotick, often realize that these games may offer some benefit to the young brain, especially in relation to quick-thinking and learning capabilities. When gamers become adept at a certain game, they develop creative ways of thinking for their character, an aspect that may be helpful in a tough gaming situation. If a character is in trouble, many gamers have to think quickly for a solution, causing a rapid firing of neurons in the brain. Performed over a long period of time, the brain can become used to firing certain neurons associated with reaction and ideas. Could this benefit the brain in the classroom? Science has yet to confirm this conclusion; however, it shouldn’t be long before these suspicions become realized.
Educational video games may also provide benefit for the young, developing, or elderly brain. More often than not, educational video games are geared toward children in order to provide a fun and engaging learning environment. By targeting pleasure centers in the brain through the reward mechanism, children can often learn facts related to history, math, and science through certain educational video game mediums. More and more schools are utilizing video games as a way to reach children, especially those suffering from ADD and ADHD. These disorders often require a form of learning that involves rapid movement and energy in order to keep the individual involved, focused, and positive throughout the learning experience.