The Joan Ganz Clooney Center at Sesame Workshop released a study today that names video games as an untapped federal resource for change in America's youth.
Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health admonishes health officials, educators, philanthropists, universities, policymakers, the games industry and the federal government to get off their butts and start shelling out money for research.
"Despite their reputation as promoters of violence and mayhem, digital games have in fact been shown to help children gain content and vital foundational and 21st-century skills," the study reads. "Digital games are here to stay and offer the country a rare opportunity to leverage children's already established enthusiasm in order to reform education and promote healthy development."
Game Changer proposes research and development funding for video games as well as partnerships between game makers and the government. Dance Dance Revolution and the Wii both get a hearty shout-out as does the Serious Games Initiative and Games for Change. But the biggest point the study seems to make is the need for grownups — particularly parents — to get involved early and often when their kids encounter games.
You can check out the text of the study here and if you missed today's two-hour webcast discussing the study, keep your eyes on this space for the video upload.
Noon Webcast: Using Games to Advance Learning & Health in Kids [GamePolitics]