Interactive, engaging and fun: videogames are widespread for entertainment, but they are also efficient tools for education, communication and awareness.
Videogames make learning easier and lessons more pleasant; in addition the user is motivated and engaged in those learning environments as active participant, rather than passive observer who has to absorb concepts.
There are videogames developed to provide kids and teens with concepts and information about IT and technology, mathematics and science, art and culture. They engage and interest students on didactic path topics, help to develop communication skills, resourcefulness and creativity, improve problem solving skills and ability to adapt to new situations; moreover the results of several studies show that videogames improve cognitive health, neural plasticity, motor skills, reflexes and coordination.
Other videogames, the so-called “serious games”, are used in training activities (in the same way as 3D simulators) to familiarise with specific situations in a safe, inexpensive and effective way. In this case videogames let workers to identify with the character in the reproduced task, allow to develop skills and acquire right behaviours for emergency and need, in activities such as fisheries, agriculture, construction.
Serious games are also utilised for Health and Safety training activities and to improve teamwork and decision-making skills.
Associations and organisations make use of videogames to debate about specific topics or to attract the interest of people on environmental issues, climate change, endangered species protection and the conservation of nature, flora and fauna, etc.
In several videogames dedicated to the underwater environment gamers are able to explore seas, habitats and wrecks, to interact with sea plants and creatures, such as mammals, fish and reptiles; people may also learn about some aspects of underwater physics, environmental conservation, ecosystem protection.
Other videogames related to the marine and coastal environment make players aware about coastal protection and nature conservation, inform people about the impacts due to unsustainable activities (like fishing with seabed trawling and underline the importance of keep river estuaries clean and free of pollutants.
Jessica Moro
DSO
Images
Post cover: Beyond-Blue-Atoll-03 – https://www.beyondbluegame.com/
Post image: Reality_check_ESA384313 – By European Space Agency –http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/07/Reality_check
