The Power of Computer Games

The power of computer games “I recently learned something quite interesting about video games. Many young people have developed incredible hand, eye, and brain coordination in playing these games. The air force believes these kids will be our outstanding pilots should they fly our jets” said Ronald Reagan in one of his speeches. Though there are both many advantages and disadvantages of computer games, the advantages surpass the disadvantages and therefore computer games are not a waste of time and money. One of the greatest advantages of playing computer games is that it provides an improved hand, eye, and brain coordination. In 2009 President Obama launched a campaign called "Educate to Innovate" designed to improve the technological, mathematical, scientific and engineering abilities of American students. Playing educational, strategic, arcade and, most of all, action computer games improves visual and motor skills, resistance to distraction, and sensitivity to information in the peripheral vision. Playing computer games also improves person’s ability to cooperate within a team. As John Donne said “no man is an island” and researchers have conducted a series of experiments which have proven that children have a tendency to form groups while they play. Computer games allow players to form online groups and play games as a team. Playing games in a team teaches the players to build knowledge through collaboration instead of functioning as “islands”. In addition to improving hand, eye, and brain coordination and teaching a person how to cooperate with others, playing computer games also develops and heightens one’s sense of creativity. The virtual realm of computer games allows one to develop creativity by expressing and carrying out their ideas without the restrictions that might be imposed on them in the physical world. The ability of the computer games to develop creativity, problem-solving and out-of-the-box type thinking, their educational value and the ability to engage individuals into collaborating with teammates are proofs that computer games are not

a waste of time and money. Quite the opposite, computer games help individuals develop skills needed in the modern, rapidly changing world.