Computer games - good or bad?

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Computer Games - Good or Bad?

For the introduction to this exercise, see Computer Games - Good or Bad? Your task is to write an essay based on the notes in the table.

J Computer Games are Good

L Computer Games are Bad

Brain develop-ment

Jpn. study found that Nintendo only stimulated parts of brain assoc. with vision & movement whereas simple arithmetic or reading aloud stimulated frontal lobe (assoc. with learning, memory & emotion)

Learning (e.g. reading, Maths etc.)

UK study of 700 children aged 7-16 found that simulation and adventure games developed strategic thinking and planning skills (possibly also Maths, reading and spelling)

Games improve hand-eye coordination (air traffic controllers got better at their job!)

Games can be addictive (some players neglect school, work or relationships)

Some people argue that the players are solitary and anti-social

Social skills

UK study found that children preferred to play in pairs/small groups.

Many people claim that games make the players reclusive and anti-social.

Health

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are common: players can suffer from bad posture or damage to tendons, nerves and muscles

Violence

Playing the games may remove aggression.

The games may give children a tool with which to master their rage.

Games may encourage "copycat" violence or increase feelings of aggression.

Gender stereo-types

Some games allow the players to "change gender"; this can encourage players to empathise with the opposite gender

Most computer games target boys, satisfying their desire for action, speed and power

A 1999 study in the USA found that three times more boys than girls played computer games

Another study looked at 124 computer game characters and found that males outnumbered females by 13 to 1. Women were rescued or kidnapped in 30% of the games.

Now it is time to write your essay, using the notes in the table. You will write a discursive essay, looking at both sides of the issue in a fairly balanced way but ultimately reaching your own conclusion. You may use the following "template" to write your essay:

Are computer games bad for us?

A 1999 study by the University of Oklahoma found that 84% of all eighth to tenth graders in a Midwestern city played computer games. Computer games are undoubtedly very popular today and many people are worried that this may not be a good thing. Opponents argue that gaming makes young people anti-social and limits their learning. Supporters, on the other hand, claim that it actually helps to develop academic skills. Who should we believe?

One of the great fears about teenage gaming is that it may damage our brains in some way. In fact, there is no evidence for this but it is possible that computer games may restrict the development of an important part of the brain. A Japanese study found that …

Critics of computer games often suggest that they are bad for children’s education and social development. Þ EXPAND THIS POINT.
On the other hand, there is evidence that most youngsters prefer to play in pairs or small groups. Furthermore, a UK study has shown that computer games can support learning. Þ EXPAND THIS POINT.

Opponents of gaming claim that it is bad for our health and there is plenty of proof for this. Þ EXPAND THIS POINT.

Another common criticism of games is that they encourage violence. In other words, …
However, it is also possible to argue that …

A final area of controversy is gender. Opponents of gaming …

So are computer games bad for us or not? In my view, …

Frankie Meehan

	J Computer Games are Good	L Computer Games are Bad
Brain develop-ment		Jpn. study found that Nintendo only stimulated parts of brain assoc. with vision & movement whereas simple arithmetic or reading aloud stimulated frontal lobe (assoc. with learning, memory & emotion)
Learning (e.g. reading, Maths etc.)	UK study of 700 children aged 7-16 found that simulation and adventure games developed strategic thinking and planning skills (possibly also Maths, reading and spelling) Games improve hand-eye coordination (air traffic controllers got better at their job!)	Games can be addictive (some players neglect school, work or relationships) Some people argue that the players are solitary and anti-social
Social skills	UK study found that children preferred to play in pairs/small groups.	Many people claim that games make the players reclusive and anti-social.
Health		Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) are common: players can suffer from bad posture or damage to tendons, nerves and muscles
Violence	Playing the games may remove aggression. The games may give children a tool with which to master their rage.	Games may encourage "copycat" violence or increase feelings of aggression.
Gender stereo-types	Some games allow the players to "change gender"; this can encourage players to empathise with the opposite gender	Most computer games target boys, satisfying their desire for action, speed and power A 1999 study in the USA found that three times more boys than girls played computer games Another study looked at 124 computer game characters and found that males outnumbered females by 13 to 1. Women were rescued or kidnapped in 30% of the games.