Parenting
Alternative Approach To Learning Helps Students Find Their "A" Game
By
Nov 3, 2005, 20:38

(NAPSI)-Go to class. Do your homework. Play more computer games? With the academic landscape more competitive and challenging than ever before, teachers and parents are continuously in search of fun and engaging ways to encourage children to learn. One solution may be more surprising than a pop quiz: educational-based computer games.

Why games? Because kids today grow up using a computer the way kids in the past used a chalk board or paper and pencil. The average college graduate has spent less than 5,000 hours reading but over 10,000 hours interacting with computer and video games, according to Marc Prensky, who wrote On the Horizon-Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants. As a complement to text books and study guides, the wide variety of E-rated (E for Everyone), age-appropriate and educationally-based games now available for Windows PCs can be a positive addition to any curriculum, making learning more fun and engaging than ever before-for kids and the entire family.

For younger students who struggle with mathematics, "The Number Devil" from Viva Media is a devilishly entertaining learning experience that walks them through 10 fun-filled math concept adventures, including prime and irrational numbers and square roots. Elementary students can become master typists with a little help from "SpongeBob SquarePants Typing" and build their reading expertise with "Reader Rabbit Reading Learning System," both from Riverdeep Interactive. High school and college-aged students can venture further into history than is possible with any textbook or lecture with Muzzy Lane's "Making History," which allows them to take control of the countries and characters that have determined the course of history.

Parents are encouraged to educate themselves about game ratings and age-appropriate content for their children. For more information on these and other educational Windows titles, including game ratings, parents can visit the Windows Game Advisor at www.windowsgaming.com.

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