Reputed surgeon Dr. James Clarence Reputed surgeon Dr. James Clarence Rosser Jr.Rosser Jr.

Plays Super Monkey BallPlays Super Monkey Ball Co-authored study:Co-authored study:

• Surgeons at least 3 hours/week 27% faster Surgeons at least 3 hours/week 27% faster and made 37% fewer mistakes in surgeriesand made 37% fewer mistakes in surgeries

I am going to tell you how video I am going to tell you how video games are good for yougames are good for you

I’ve been gaming since I was 4I’ve been gaming since I was 4 Several gaming systemsSeveral gaming systems Hundreds of gamesHundreds of games Two gaming websitesTwo gaming websites

I’m an expertI’m an expert

Not just a waste of timeNot just a waste of time

Not only are games fun, but…Not only are games fun, but…• Games can positively impact your lifeGames can positively impact your life

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

Video games improve vision Video games improve vision and visuospatial abilitiesand visuospatial abilities• Shawn Green and Daphne Shawn Green and Daphne

Bavelier of the National Bavelier of the National Institute of HealthInstitute of Health

Gamers vs. non-gamersGamers vs. non-gamers

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

Subjects matched shapes appearing in a series of Subjects matched shapes appearing in a series of circles with ones displayed at the side of screencircles with ones displayed at the side of screen

Gamers completed task fasterGamers completed task faster

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

Subjects asked to identify flashed Subjects asked to identify flashed symbolsymbol

Gamers more accurate and fasterGamers more accurate and faster Applies in real world – navigating Applies in real world – navigating

traffic traffic

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

Video games cause weight lossVideo games cause weight loss• My dad lost 2 pounds a week playing Wii My dad lost 2 pounds a week playing Wii

TennisTennis

• Habit of eating when bored, forgetHabit of eating when bored, forget

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

Dr. Unnithan et al. (2006):Dr. Unnithan et al. (2006):• DDR met heart-rate DDR met heart-rate

standards for developing standards for developing and maintaining and maintaining cardiovascular fitnesscardiovascular fitness

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your physical wellbeingphysical wellbeing

West Virginia putting DDR in all 765 schools to West Virginia putting DDR in all 765 schools to battle obesitybattle obesity

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your mental wellbeingmental wellbeing

Video games can treat mental disordersVideo games can treat mental disorders

• Psychologist Michael Posner of Cornell Psychologist Michael Posner of Cornell University studied effect of games on ADDUniversity studied effect of games on ADD

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your mental wellbeingmental wellbeing

Those who played games Those who played games showed significant showed significant improvementimprovement

I have ADD and I find that I have ADD and I find that because gaming requires because gaming requires focus I develop this abilityfocus I develop this ability

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your mental wellbeingmental wellbeing

Video games improve job Video games improve job satisfaction and productivitysatisfaction and productivity• Professor Jeffrey Goldstein et Professor Jeffrey Goldstein et

al. (2003) studied game al. (2003) studied game playing at insurance firmplaying at insurance firm

• Some forced to play games at Some forced to play games at work, other forced not towork, other forced not to

Video games can improve your Video games can improve your mental wellbeingmental wellbeing

Gamers felt better about their Gamers felt better about their jobs and worked more jobs and worked more productivelyproductively

I play video games as breakI play video games as break• Relieve stressRelieve stress• Improve moraleImprove morale• Motivate harder workMotivate harder work

ConclusionConclusion Criticized, but little Criticized, but little

evidence of harmevidence of harm Benefits demonstratedBenefits demonstrated

They’re funThey’re fun

Can be anyoneCan be anyone• Holy PaladinHoly Paladin• Futuristic cyborg marineFuturistic cyborg marine

Can do anythingCan do anything• Build civilizationsBuild civilizations• Save the universeSave the universe• Destroy itDestroy it

ConclusionConclusion

Beneficial physically and Beneficial physically and mentally and provide mentally and provide countless hours of countless hours of entertainmententertainment

Throw out misconceptions Throw out misconceptions about games and give about games and give consideration and even consideration and even praise they deservepraise they deserve

BibliographyBibliography BBC News, March 2003.BBC News, March 2003.

““Video Games ‘Good For You’” (viewed April 29, 2008) Video Games ‘Good For You’” (viewed April 29, 2008) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2943280.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2943280.stm

BBC News, November 2003.BBC News, November 2003.““Games at Work May be Good for You” (viewed April 29, 2008) Games at Work May be Good for You” (viewed April 29, 2008) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3247595.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3247595.stm

Ben Silverman, Yahoo.com, April 2007.Ben Silverman, Yahoo.com, April 2007.““Games are Good for You” (viewed April 29, 2008) Games are Good for You” (viewed April 29, 2008) http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/games-are-good-for-you/513460http://videogames.yahoo.com/feature/games-are-good-for-you/513460

Michael Marriot, The New York Times, February 2005.Michael Marriot, The New York Times, February 2005.““We Have to Operate, But Let’s Play First” (viewed April 29, 2008) We Have to Operate, But Let’s Play First” (viewed April 29, 2008) http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/technology/circuits/24docs.html?http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/technology/circuits/24docs.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=2a6a39a7c52f5e90&ex=1177473600_r=1&pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=2a6a39a7c52f5e90&ex=1177473600&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Unnithan, V. B., Houser, W., & Fernall, B (2000). “Evaluation of the energy Unnithan, V. B., Houser, W., & Fernall, B (2000). “Evaluation of the energy cost of playing a dance simulation video game in overweight and non-cost of playing a dance simulation video game in overweight and non-overweight children and adolescents.” overweight children and adolescents.” International Journal of Sports MedicationInternational Journal of Sports Medication, 27(10), 804-9., 27(10), 804-9.