Brain-Boosting Power of Video Games
The power of games is evident in corporate training as it has eased the training process. Game-based training has also led better-skilled employees. In addition to producing well-trained employees, casual games also have a huge impact on boosting the brain’s functionality.
Digital games improve cognitive and affective skills leading to better-informed decision making and conclusions. They strengthen your brain muscles just like physical exercises strengthen your muscles. They constantly engage the trainee and improve his or her brain functionality.
Playing casual games brings learners in a flow, in which they have an energized focus, full of involvement and enjoyment. The playing of the game clears their heads while they focus on mastering the game. This in turn prepares them to learn, because there are no interfering thoughts when the content or question appears.
Below are some of the ways casual games boost the brain:
Improve problem-solving
Employees have to make an informed decision to reach the desired level or achieve a certain goal. This enables them to think critically before taking any action. For example, a trainee might be presented with a challenging game situation. The split-second decisions that he or she makes will gauge whether they are eligible for the next level or not.
Enhance memory
At the beginning of the casual game, an employee is presented with easy instructions that he or she must remember throughout the game. Constant recalling of these instructions enhances memory. Also, the use of concepts on previous levels enhances memory thereby improving knowledge retention. Mastery of keys on the keyboard to enable completion of certain tasks can as well improve an employee’s memory.
Improves brain’s speed
This is one of the chief power of casual games. A trainee constantly receives both visual and audio stimuli. Therefore the brain is in constant work to interpret these stimulators. Employees who undertake game-based training, are in a better position to interpret different stimulators and still produce quality work.
Improves concentration and attention
Trainees are required to have their eyes fixed on the happenings in the game. For example, shooting or having to build a row. Digital games also facilitate the production of dopamine that arouses pleasure. In return, acetylcholine is produced that facilitates concentration. Also, the desire to progress to the next level increases concentration.
Improves coordination
When playing the casual games, the trainee is required to have a proper coordination of his visual, physical and audial movement. Through constant playing of digital games, the brain is able to better coordinate these movements even in real-life job scenario.
Increase in brain matter
A study conducted by researchers from the Max Plank Institute in Germany found that playing digital games is responsible for the increase in the size of certain brain regions. These brain regions are responsible for memory formation, fine motor skills, and strategic planning. The study also highlighted that the people who play video games have increased grey matter in the right prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum.
Improves social skills
Game-based training that facilitates competition among individuals or teams enhances employee’s social skills. Why is this the case? Employees constantly communicate throughout the training program about their performances leading to more meaningful and casual relationships. Employees learn social skills that enable them to make new friends and retain old ones in the workplace and outside.
Verdict
The power of games affects the overall functionality of the brain in a positive way. Through casual games, employees improve their coordination, social skills, and problem-solving skills and also improves the brain’s speed. This training method lets learners more easily absorb the content and it is therefore prudent for companies to use casual games as a means of training their employees.
