Slashdot Mirror


Study Finds That Video Games Hinder Learning In Young Boys

dcollins writes "Researchers at Denison University in Ohio have shown that giving PlayStations to young boys leads to slower progress in reading and writing skills. Quoting: 'The study is the first controlled trial to look at the effects of playing video games on learning in young boys. That is to say, the findings aren't based on survey data of kids' game habits, but instead on a specific group of children that were randomly assigned to receive a PlayStation or not ... Those with PlayStations also spent less time engaged in educational activities after school and showed less advancement in their reading and writing skills over time than the control group, according to tests taken by the kids. While the game-system owners didn't show significant behavioral problems, their teachers did report delays in learning academic skills, including writing and spelling.'"

5 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. It's true by assemblerex · · Score: 5, Funny

    Thanks to Legend of Zelda my basic math sucked for years. I did however beat Ganon with the wooden sword.

  2. Re:this study is completely biased by linzeal · · Score: 5, Funny

    " Get a man that haven't had sex in 6 years and give him a girlfriend and analize what happens "

    Kinky, I'm pretty sure you can find many volunteers in the Slashdot population who would like to participate in this study of yours.

  3. Re:What games? by tancque · · Score: 4, Funny

    I Agree. Most games I played were English, which improved my English grade considerably (I'm Dutch). My vocabulary was a bit unusual, though. Not many kids at 12 used words like grue, "lantern of everburn" or "twisty passages all alike"

    --
    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!
  4. Re:Correlation != causation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    School isn't stupid?

  5. Re:What games? by hal2814 · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Brainless" shooters? I don't think so. I play those shooters all the time. I see brains EVERYWHERE! There are a few bits of brain here... some there... some flew down into the trenches... some splattered onto the other players... You obviously don't know what you're talking about.