What Computer Games Can Teach Us

The Educational Potential of Gaming

The popularity of computer games is growing every day, with children and adults spending more and more time playing them. This raises the question of how to use gaming for good — primarily for learning.

According to Knowable Magazine, certain types of video games can improve brain function when performing a narrow set of tasks. A number of studies have also shown their effectiveness in learning a second language, mathematics, and natural sciences.

This is potentially good news for schoolchildren and students, as well as for millions of people who love to play games or cannot stop doing so.

Early Research on Cognitive Benefits

The first promising data came from research on shooter games. Sean Green, a psychology student at the University of Rochester, noticed that these often-criticized games might have surprising benefits.

He gave a visual attention test to his friends, who performed remarkably well. Initially, Green and his research supervisor, Daphne Bavelier, suspected an error—especially since Bavelier’s own results were average. The key difference? Green’s friends spent over 10 hours a week playing the shooter game Team Fortress Classic.

Controlled Experiments: Shooters vs. Puzzles

Green and Bavelier conducted a follow-up experiment, dividing “gaming novices” into two groups. One group played a shooter game for an hour a day over 10 days; the other group played the spatial puzzle game Tetris for the same duration.

The results were notable. The shooter group showed improved ability to focus on specific objects in visually cluttered environments and could track up to five moving objects at once. Meanwhile, Tetris was found to enhance spatial reasoning and visualization of two-dimensional objects.

The Science Behind Attention Control

Now a cognitive researcher at the University of Geneva, Bavelier notes that fans of action games are better at switching between distributed attention (responding to multiple stimuli simultaneously) and focused attention (concentrating on a single target). “This is called attention control — the ability to switch flexibly as needed,” she explains.

Other games like All You Can ET, a cognitive training game where players serve aliens the correct food and drink in real time, also demonstrate how gameplay can enhance multitasking and task-switching abilities.

Real-World Applications and Limitations

Green, now a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, believes computer games can help train professionals who rely on heightened visual attention, such as surgeons, law enforcement officers, and military personnel.

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Even military institutions recognize the value of gaming. “The ability to quickly absorb information, react, and coordinate actions while remaining calm under pressure is often a sign of people who are good at gaming,” a representative of the British Air Force told the BBC.

However, Green also acknowledges that the benefits of spending many hours playing games like Call of Duty have limits. If gaming time comes at the expense of other important activities, the development of other skills may suffer in the long run.

A Broader Perspective on Game-Based Learning

While action games tend to get the spotlight for improving attention and reaction times, educational games of all genres are increasingly being designed with learning in mind. Games that simulate real-world problems, such as managing resources or making ethical decisions, are being used in classrooms to encourage critical thinking and collaboration.These newer approaches reflect a shift from passive content consumption to active engagement — a key factor in deep, meaningful learning.

Conclusion

Computer games are not just entertainment; they are complex, interactive systems that can engage, challenge, and teach. From improving attention control and spatial reasoning to supporting second-language acquisition and professional training, games offer a wide range of cognitive and educational benefits.

However, as with any tool, the key lies in balance and thoughtful application. Used wisely, video games have the potential to become powerful allies in education and personal development.