News flash: Kids like computer games

A survey of 2,300 11- to 16-year-old students in England revealed some shocking news—students want to play computer games in school, reports eGov Monitor The survey's findings might determine how computers can be integrated in classroom curriculum.

The survey found that computer games were more attractive to younger children, with 46% of 11-year-olds playing games every day, compared with 25% of 15-16 year-olds. Younger students were also most likely to want to use computer games in school: 66% of 11-year-olds compared to 49% of 15- to 16-year-olds.

Some kids would rather play computer games only at home and not at school. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said that if games were incorporated into the lessons it would make school more interesting. Over two-thirds of students thought that games would improve their computer skills and just under half thought that they would help to improve strategic thinking skills such as problem-solving. Students also thought computer games could have negative effects such as reinforcing stereotypical views of people.

"Young people play computer games not because they are easy or mindless, but precisely because they are the opposite of that - they are hard. The outcome of this research will inform further development of learning technologies and the issues that teachers may need to consider when using games software in school." said Mike Rumble, Curriculum Adviser at the Qualifications Curriculum Authority.