In recent years, it has become a trend to include digital games or video games in educational settings, the reason being games have peculiar qualities that engage hard-to-reach students in a way lessons cannot. And this theory has attracted the widespread attention of people working not only in education but also in the game industry.

While every individual’s definition and their thought process may vary, games are primarily recreational methods that basically include challenges or some form of stimulation in varying stages from where you can upgrade your level of mind and learning skills. You have some type of victory/loss conditions also which make your mind more cumulative about the stages and help to increase your focus and mindset skills. The number of games that are being designed today, specifically to facilitate learning is conventional, hybrid, and for online training and education is unbelievable!

Major factors that show positive effects of online games in education & learning are:

Increases Critical Thinking

There have been numerous online games that need the players to make quick decisions, especially action games. The game does not only focus on the implementation of critical thinking but also helps in trying different techniques/ways to solve the problem so it helps the player to think about the situation in a thought provoking way and then implement the solution for it.

Online gaming boosts social interaction

Online games are generally described as they don’t help in social development and makes a child pull away from their peers. However, according to Psych Central, online games help children to develop a social circle as online games require their players to collaborate with people from different countries and states in any multiplayer game. It helps them to coordinate with their thoughts and also helps them to build up leadership qualities.

Educational Games

Many EdTech companies are using games to help children solve their doubts and increase their mental ability skills. As children are fascinated by games, there have been plenty of developers that have come up with online games that enhance their mental ability skills and provide them with good learning and education through their favorite medium which is online gaming.

Helps to Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

A recent study from the University of Toronto found that people who often play online games, like ‘Call of Duty’ or ‘Assassin’s Creed’, perform better in sensorimotor tasks and have improved hand-eye coordination, than people who do not play. Just like playing a sport sparks up your swiftness and your hand-eye coordination, playing online games also helps in this to some extent. As Health Researchers at Deakin University revealed, preschoolers who are used to playing interactive video games have heightened coordination of hand and eye.

Releases stress

Stress has been the most alarming factor in teenagers or in people in their early 20’s. Study shows that playing online games for at least an hour or two helps release stress and award positive vibes as your concentration switches reality to the game and benefits your mental health.

Online gaming plays a pivotal role in enhancing memory

Online games can also help to enhance your memory as they require players to remember and take in a lot of information at different levels/stages. These stages are co-related with each other and help the player to remember things for a longer period of time and in turn, helps the students to absorb more information.

Computer & Simulation Fluency

Online games have been of great help to children in learning the use of new technology i.e computers, mobile phones, and other gadgets. Enhanced skills on computer and simulation help children with increased fluency over devices and their typing skills.

Strategic thinking & Problem-Solving

Online gaming platforms also help kids with solving any given problem easily and efficiently, by helping them to plan or solve the situation with the best possible alternatives and improves the quality of learning. This helps in increased mental stability and thinking of a child.

Online gaming has also been regarded as beneficial for children who have attention disorders and as it works on their skill-building capacity. Therefore, online gaming can not only have a positive impact on a child but also help them in developing their skills, when done under proper supervision.