AsianScientist (Aug. 10, 2016) – Teenagers who regularly play online video games tend to improve their school results, according to research from RMIT University in Australia. Students who visit Facebook or chat sites daily, on the other hand, are more likely to fall behind in maths, reading and science.
In the study published in the International Journal of Communication, Associate Professor Alberto Posso from RMIT’s School of Economics, Finance and Marketing investigated the results of testing by the globally-recognized Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). PISA tested more than 12,000 Australian 15-year-olds in maths, reading and science, and collected data on the students’ online activities.
Posso said teenagers who used Facebook or chat every day scored 20 points worse in maths than students who never used social media.
“Students who are regularly on social media are, of course, losing time that could be spent on study—but it may also indicate that they are struggling with maths, reading and science and are going online to socialize instead,” Posso said.
“Teachers might want to look at blending the use of Facebook into their classes as a way of helping those students engage.”
Posso also noted that video games could help students to apply and sharpen skills learned at school. He suggested that teachers consider incorporating popular video games into teaching, as long as they are not violent ones.
“Students who play online games almost every day score 15 points above the average in maths and 17 points above the average in science. When you play online games you’re solving puzzles to move to the next level and that involves using some of the general knowledge and skills in maths, reading and science that you’ve been taught during the day,” he said.
Posso noted that other factors could also have a major impact on teenagers’ progress. Repeating an academic year or skipping classes could be as bad or worse for scores than high use of social media, he said.
The article can be found at: Posso (2016) Internet Usage and Educational Outcomes Among 15-Year-Old Australian Students.
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Source: RMIT University; Photo: Shutterstock.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
