Question:
BBC America and a few other channels have been recently airing
commercials for products that I consider disgusting, educational video
game systems from a company called V-Tech. There seem to be four
systems, a console aimed at upper elementary schoold kids, a handheld
version aimed at the same age group, a console aimed at lower
elementary school kids, and a system aimed at babies. The premise
behind these systems is that playing them is good for your kids because
they will be learning math and grammer and spelling and other subjects
while playing. V Tech's company slogan is "Turn playtime into
braintime."
I personally think these systems are ridiculous. Does
everything a kid does need to be related to preparing them for college
and the adult world? Can't kids relax a little? The system aimed at
babies is particularly disgusting since they are selling it one the
premise that it'll make your kids smart when they are older, something
that I find highly unlikely. Its like the people who advocated that
playing classical music to your kids would make them smart a few years
ago.
Answer:
I think a good game is much more educational than reading, writing, and
arithmetic lessons that have some bells and whistles attached to them. I
have yet to see a so-called educational game that is as educational or as
mind stimulating as Chess or Go. You have the option of playing either
board or electronic versions.
I've looked at some language learning software that incorporates
educational games. Yet, you learn a lot more language playing a pure game
in the foreign language, especially text and voice based role playing games
and visual novels.
Submit Your
Own Answer!
