As time time passes by, a lot of newinventions are made as well as the improvement of many things. One of thesethings is technology. Technology has evolved as years pass byleading to very high technology inventions. This includes online games that canbe played through either computers, cellphones, laptops, and many other gadgetswith the inclusion of an internet connection.
These kinds of games can be playedsolo or with a group of other players that are either one’s friends or otheronline players that one met through the game. The flow towards increased onlinegames and other interactive digital media usage does not appear to be goingaway. The current generation has become exceedingly comfortable with technologyand electronic entertainment as they adapt with recent trends which may lead toaddiction.
When one hears the word online gaming addiction, it immediatelymakes one think negatively about online games due to the word “ addiction” however according to Dockrill (2016), gaming every day is linked to improvements in academic performance. When one plays online games, one is solving puzzles and plotting strategieswhich involves using some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading, and science that a student has been taught during the day. “ Video games change your brain,” accordingto University of Wisconsin psychologist C. Shawn Green. It changes thebrain’s physical muscle thus improving it since online games exercises thebrain particularly high level thinking skills.
According to Bavelier, a cognitive scientist, gamessimulating stressful events such as those found in battle or action games couldbe a training tool for real world situations. Playing online games especiallythose who are in the genre of action, practices the brain for quick thinkingand decisions, and multitasking. These games can be used to train soldiers andsurgeons. According to Defense News, the army includes these games to train soldiers in order to improve theirsituational awareness in combat.
Since they are always in a constant battlefield which requiresquick high level thinking and decisions as well as multitasking. According to James Paul Gee, professor of education at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, says that playing a video game is similar toworking through a science problem. Just like in a laboratory, before conductingan experiment, one must make a hypothesis which is just like that of a gamer. Agamer must constantly explore the game so the gamer tries out new weapons andpowers in order to defeat the enemy.
It is a constant cycle of trial and errorbecause if one of the weapons does not defeat the enemy then the player willtry another weapon and use other powers. According toMolinari (2017), being emotionally healthy is important in doing better inschool which includes allowing oneself to enjoy the things that one enjoys. So ifone loves playing online games then that person must let himself or herselfplay since the happier a person is, the more likely a person will do better inschool. One must never prevent oneself in doing activities that one loves aslong as it is done in moderation.
