To the surprise of many parents with dyslexic children, playing actions video games does in fact boost reading skills by spontaneous and undemanding reading while playing the games. These games enhance visual and focus attention that allows them to see and understand information more quickly. This information supports the thought that visual attetnion deficits are the main proeblem for dyslexia.
A group of scientists tested the reading, phonological, and attention skills of two different groups of dyslexic children. One group played action or non-action video games for nine 80-minute sessions and the other group did not. The group that played video games was able to read more faster and more accuratly and showed signs of other gains in tests of attention, while the other group did not make much improvements.
NOS Themes:
1. Role of motivation and curiosity: People were interested in ways that could help dyslexic kids improve their reading and language skills and tested to see if playing video games would help.
2. science is based on evidence: There was a study done to see if video games would help dyslexic kids and the results showed that they did gain imporovements with their reading and language skills.
3. Science is subject to debate and tentative:Although this study has some good evidence, not everyong is going to believe and accept this method to help dyslexic kids.
Other Information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130228124132.htm
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/could-video-games-help-kids-with-dyslexia-1.1175939
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/could-video-games-help-kids-with-dyslexia-1.1175939
This article interested me because of the general idea people have that new technology and media forms are causing kids to have a worse attention span. According to bbc.co.uk/news/health, the fast-moving video games require a "high degree of perceptual, cognitive, and motor skills as well as being unpredictable and involving peripheral processing." I never realized video games use so many different parts of the brain, even when it is seemingly mindless games.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it is still hard to connect video games with kids with dyslexia at this point because dyslexia cases have not appeared to have fallen drastically in the recent decades of the rise of video games. The kids tested had not played video games before, so this remains unanswered. The study has yet to prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
http://www.health24.com/Parenting/Child/News/Video-games-help-dyslexic-kids-focus-20130301
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21619592
I think this is interesting because everybody says that video games are bad for you and rot your brain, etc., when in reality they can help. Not only can video games help those who suffer from dyslexia, but can also help people overcome their phobias with simulators. Although this is a great concept, it is not widely known or used.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.archetypewriting.com/articles/psychology/fearfighter.htm
Finally, an abundance of supplemental reading resources can be found online. Everything from engaging stories to reading games can be found for nearly any age, grade, or reading level. These can be especially useful for dyslexic learners since they are generally more visually appealing.
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