Gaming and Literacy

“When people learn to play video games they are learning a new literacy.” - James Paul Gee, linguist and professor of literacy studies at Arizona State University

According to a recent article on the website MindShift, gaming should be considered the new essential literacy.

When kids play video games, they're not only having fun but they're also learning problem solving skills, trial and error, and that it takes practice to get good at anything. As the article points out, "a critical part of being literate in the digital age means being able to solve problems through simulations and collaboration."

Many parents dismiss video games as simple, mindless entertainment, which can lead to arguments and frustration. So what would happen if we were to change our way of thinking about gaming? Would our kids benefit if we were to shift our view to see gaming as a more productive pastime? If, as the article suggests, gaming teaches children important life lessons and skills, it might be something worth considering.

If you're interested in learning more about the connection between gaming and literacy, here are a few more articles on the topic:

How Games Can Influence Learning

Five Reasons Why Video Games Power Up Learning

The Literacy of Gaming: What Kids Learn from Playing