Learning Through Play Helps Develop Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills and Meaningful Relationships
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 26, 2021 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and Higher Education Video Game Alliance (HEVGA) today released a new report that details how K-12 educators are using video games in classrooms across the U.S. to modernize learning opportunities and help students develop essential 21st century success skills.
The new report, Benefits of Video Games in K-12 Education, finds that video games promote engagement and resilience, stimulate collaboration and encourage student participation, which can improve student attitudes toward learning and promote leadership and cooperation opportunities within the curriculum and through game clubs and esports.
“More than 227 million people in the U.S. play video games, the majority of which believe that video games can be educational and improve both cognitive and creative skills,” ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis said. “Our new report shows that in addition to the important intrinsic value of play to bring joy, mental stimulation and connection, video games are also being used in the classroom in creative and inventive ways to engage learners and develop pathways toward future success.”
The report reviews academic literature on video games in K-12 education and draws on in-depth interviews with teachers on their use of video games to extend and enhance student learning.
“The educators interviewed for this project work at public, charter, and independent schools in big cities, suburbs, and towns across the country. They teach math, science, language, history and more,” HEVGA President Andrew Phelps said. “The research shows these educators are successfully using games as powerful tools to foster learning, exploration, and connection. We hope the report encourages more teachers to use video games in their classrooms.”
Increasingly, education-based video games are proving useful in advancing learning opportunities for students in the classroom and beyond. As this new report demonstrates, that trend will likely continue as more teachers adopt video games as tools to enhance learning outcomes.
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About the ESA
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) serves as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers, and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect, and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture, and the economy. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA.
About HEVGA
The Higher Education Video Game Alliance is the leading academic association advocating for the critical role video game programs play in higher education, industry, and government. Our mission is to create a platform for higher educations leaders which will underscore the cultural, scientific, and economic importance of video game programs in colleges and universities. The key is to create a robust network of resources – including unified advocacy, policymaker engagement, media coverage, and external funding – in order to incubate and harness the impact of this community in a 21st century learning environment. For more information, visit the HEVGA website or follow HEVGA on Twitter @theHEVGA.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Elliott
Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
(202) 223-2400
kelliott@theESA.com
