Math in Video Games

We are so obsessed with our devices in today's society, that sometimes it doesn't strike us how much we are actually learning from what our fingers are constantly tapping. In the case of youth, most take up their time by playing video games or apps, without realizing they're actually learning life skills, and math strategies. In relation to behaviour development, video games emphasize the goal of survival. To survive, you need to make quick decisions and take action- this allows them to develop life skills or taking action, as well as, thinking quick- so critical thinking.

When you tell most students it's math time, you get the usual *sigh*, but if you were to tell them we're playing video games in class, they'd jump for joy and be right on that idea! It's crucial to explain to them that although playing video games is not what we're recommending, they do learn alot as they play. If we think of a racing game, students need to determine their speed and the distance they still have remaining to finish the course and find their rate and strategies to reach first place. If it's a game where they have to pay to purchase a certain level, or modes of survival (food, clothing, houses, materials), they are building on upon currency awareness [financial literacy], subtraction, addition, multiplication!

We always say it's important to relate expectations to real-world experiences, and here we are.. video games and math!... who would have thought! 

For more, refer to : http://www.forbes.com/sites/jordanshapiro/2013/08/29/video-games-are-the-perfect-way-to-teach-math-says-stanford-mathematician/