Some day soon video games might not be something you have to pry your kids away from, they may be part of their homework. Nintendo has launched a massive campaign to brand it’s DS console as an educational tool. The program has already led to a big contract with Japanese public schools that will put the consoles in the hands of elementary and middle school children there starting next year.
Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo’s top designer, talked about the program recently while in London accepting a BAFTA Fellowship award. He pointed out the many math, language and reading programs already available for the DS – Miyamoto, and the company, strongly believe that the hand held consoles will be an important education tool in an increasingly paperless future. The device has a touchscreen, microphone and wireless Internet capabilities and is relatively low in price, which makes it a much easier way to give children access to the Internet and computerized tools than more expensive options like providing laptop computers.
Nintendo’s hand held consoles are already being used for a number of other educational purposes in Japan. Museums, galleries and aquariums use them and Japanese McDonald’s restaurants have recently started using a DS training program for employees.
Incorporating computers and computer games into the educational process is nothing new – even children who were learning to multiply in the era of Apple IIE’s remember Math Blaster, and the options have only diversified as gaming has improved. Games are a great alternative that help children have fun learning and particularly useful to active, kinesthetic learners who learn better through active manipulation than through sitting still and listening.
(Image via Switched.com)
