Violent Games As Great Teachers

Gamepolitics and the site Physorg have an in-depth look at a study (pdf) done on the educational nature of violent games. While the implications of the study reinforce the old 'games lead to violent kids' saw, the authors of the research stress that they're more interested in talking up the benefits of games in education. "When considered in the light of what is known to be the "best practices" of education, violent video games appear to be exemplary teachers of aggression ... It should therefore be no surprise that video games are excellent teachers, both of educational content and of violent content... The fact that learning occurs regardless of whether the effects are intentional or unintentional is irrelevant, and should make us more thoughtful about designing games and choosing games for children and adolescents to play."

Comments

Re:Stupid shrinks.

[LWATCDR]

Again you fail to notice that I am not drawing any conclusions as to video games causing violence or not causing violence.
I am commenting on how people that are so sure that they are rational and open minded are willing to toss away there open mindedness when it threatens something they believe is true.
In this case that belief is that violent video games are harmless.
The same people that are dismissing video games I am sure can list some book or movie that they feel "changed" or "influenced" there life.
As I said I am not really trying to draw any conclusions on video games. I am pointing out an observation about people on Slashdot.

Here's what I've learned:

[Trojan35]

I play violent video games all the time.

I played Oregon Trail.
I learned that Dysentery is a bad thing and can kill me and wreck my trip.

I played Doom.
I learned that you can modify things you buy to make them more fun, like Barney. I learned how to use my computer to modify the aliens into Barneys, and now I use computers every day in my job.

I played Warcraft.
I learned that the key to winning games is not how hard you fight, but how great of control you have over your resources. This is true in games, war, politics, and business.

I played Grand Theft Auto.
I learned that if I steal cars, cops will come. If I shoot at them, they will get mad and I will eventually die to a tank.

I played Socom.
I learned that if I was in the Army, I'd die. I learned that a lot.

I think games reinforce the reality of this world, and individuals that do not let it impact their academic/professional lives benefit greatly from them.