Games Are Still Good For You

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Games Are Good For You

Out of the Hot Coffee, into the bloodbath. Right as the controversy over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas finally pipes down, along comes the murderous Manhunt 2 and another round of mainstream media misinformation. Gamers just can't catch a break.

So we figured it was time to give them one. Hot on the heels of our initial rundown of five ways gaming is good for you, we proudly present five more examples of pixilated philanthropy.

1. They can make kids smarter.

Games were once thought responsible for turning our youth into mindless zombies, but a new movement aims to bolster those delicious brains rather than numb them. And it's a worldwide phenomenon.

WATCH BRAIN AGE TRAILER

In a small, informal study conducted at St. Columbia primary school in Dundee, Scotland, selected students aged nine and ten were instructed to play Nintendo's DS hit Brain Age 2: More Training in Minutes a Day for 15 minutes prior to class every day for about three months. Compared to the control group, the gamers showed a marked improvement in math test scores, with the scores of one special-needs student jumping an astonishing 150%.

According to project leader and former teacher Derek Robertson, the gaming students also became more focused. ""It had a real calming effect on children in the class...in fact I have never before seen such gains across the board."

It's a thought echoed by Professor Hideo Kageyama of Yawata, Japan. In his experimental class at Ritsumeikan University, students studying English vocabulary using the DS showed significant increases in the number of memorized words over a 5 month trial. Kageyama noted, "With speed, tempo and timing together, less strain on the mind leads to improvement in studying...they seem to be concentrating three times the usual."

Nintendo isn't the only handheld manufacturer trying to fix the learning curve. Earlier this year a lucky class at Holyhead Secondary School in Birmingham, England began testing a Sony-sponsored program promoting PSPs in the classroom. By putting the lessons literally in the palms of their hands, teachers hope to better connect with pupils and reach out to those with specific learning needs.

Obviously, playing games during class is a definite no-no. Wouldn't want the kids to turn out stupid or anything.