Video games have 'role in school'

Video games could have a serious role to play in the classroom, a survey of teachers and students suggests.
The Teaching with Games report was commissioned by games giant Electronic Arts (EA) and carried out by FutureLab.

It surveyed almost 1,000 teachers and more than 2,300 primary and secondary school students in the UK.

The survey found 59% of teachers would consider using off-the-shelf games in the classroom while 62% of students wanted to use games at school.

Jules Clarkson, international marketing director at Electronic Arts, said: "EA has recognised for a long time the potential for computer games to stimulate teachers and students.

Evidence of concern

"We now have the evidence."

The report, which was also backed by Microsoft, Take Two, as well as the Interactive Software Federation of Europe (ISFE), found evidence of concern from both teachers and students about the impact of games on players.

Fifty five percent of students thought videogames would make for more interesting lessons

More than 70% of the surveyed teachers felt that playing games could lead to anti-social behaviour while 30% of students believed that playing games could lead to increased violence and aggression. (See the great debates for more on that!!)

The report is released on the first day of the London Games Festival, a week-long programme of events including a developers' conference, the Bafta videogame awards and a showcase of new titles for consumers.

I play games in my computer classes

I have used the program Mavis Beacon Teaches typing witch has games on it at home and when I was in school and as part of my job training program to help me better and increase my typing speed and accuracy and skills.