A new study has shown that playing Brain Age and Brain Age 2 (and surely other “Brain Training” games) can improve test scores.
The study was done in Scotland and involved more than 600 students. One group of students did things the traditional way (i.e. no video game playing for them!) while the other group plays Brain Age for 20 minutes at the start of their class everyday over a 9 week period. Brain Age includes puzzles and brain exercises that include reading tests, problem solving, memory and math puzzles.
The survey found some interesting results:
* The group using the game had improved by 50%
* They completed the tests quicker, down from 18.5 minutes to 13.5 minutes. Double that of the group that didn’t play.
* “Less able” children were more likely to improve their test scores than the “highest attainers” and almost all of the kids had an increased perception of their own ability.
* There were improvements in absence and lateness in some classes.
I also found this to be an interesting quote. “Computer games help flatten out the hierarchy that exists in schools – they are in the domain of the learner as opposed to the domain of the school.”
You can read the full article over at BBC News