Is gaming that different from reading?

Today I came across a study about the benefits of recreational gaming by the International Journal of Esports?(https://lnkd.in/efR2kGXN). Those who have gaming experience themselves, or have studied (serious) gaming know that gamers tend to develop traits and characteristics enforced by the gaming environment, or its community. These can vary from problem solving, spatial and hand-eye coordination skills, as well as vision and speed skills up to organizational, management and leadership skills. It often makes me wonder; why is gaming not included in the daily educational practice of students?

Nowadays I'd like to compare gaming with reading; I know they are two different things, but they are similar in my eyes as follows:

'Both reading and gaming give the learner autonomy over the content they like do experience, and the practice of experiencing that content may bring forth new skills and/or attitudes'

Like I said, I agree that reading and gaming are very different from each other. However, I decided to dive in to see what exactly I could find. Here are the main differences between gaming and reading, and as you may as well notice, they are quite different from each other.

1. Focus: Reading requires a more sustained and focused attention than gaming, as it involves processing words and ideas on a page. Gaming, on the other hand, can involve a lot of visual and auditory stimulation, but may not require the same level of sustained attention.
2. Creativity: Reading encourages imagination and creativity, as readers have to imagine the scenes and characters described in the book. Gaming can also be creative, but the limits are set by the game designer.
3. Learning: Reading can be a great way to learn new information and develop new skills, as it exposes readers to new ideas and perspectives. Gaming can also be educational, but this tends to be more focused on specific skills, such as problem-solving or hand-eye coordination.
4. Social Interaction: Gaming can be a social activity, as many games are designed to be played with others online or in person. Reading is generally a solitary activity, although it can be a topic for discussion and can facilitate social interaction in that way.

As well as they may differ from each other, it seems that gaming and reading can also cooperate with each other. Where reading can expose readers to ideas and perspectives, gaming can let an individual experience specific scenario's and situations.

I'd like to see Playstations, Xboxs, PCs, VR Headsets and many more ways for students to experience gaming at school, and I'd like to see gaming as a genuine part of the educational training, just like reading is / once was.

Inclusivity & accessibility

For much of human history, reading was a privilege that only a small percentage of the population had access to. Until relatively recently, books were expensive to produce and distribute, and literacy rates were low. Today, while there are still barriers to reading for some people, such as economic or cultural factors, access to reading materials has greatly expanded, thanks to technology and digital media.

Because reading has a lot of benefits, we have made it accessible to everyone and also tend to include reading-hours in our school curriculum.

At the moment, only the individuals who were exposed to gaming at a certain point in their life, and liked it a lot (a phenomena not unknown to the reading community) continue their gaming experience. It may well be the case that these 'gamers' have developed certain skills that allow them a better position on the job-market in comparison to individuals who have not have had the opportunity to develop those skills.

Schools could/should provide students with enough gaming experience as such they might find the game that suits them, just like a book.

Gaming in the school curriculum would enforce socialization, encourages technology literacy, and can provide and mental break and / or outlet.

A few of the core benefits of including an hour of gaming in the weekly schedule of students.

1. Promotes socialization and teamwork: Many video games require players to work together and communicate effectively to achieve a common goal. This can help students develop social skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
2. Provides a mental break: It is important for students to have opportunities to take breaks and engage in activities that they enjoy. An hour of recreational video gaming could serve as a mental break and help students recharge, which could improve their focus and academic performance - and they might still continue learning 'other' skills while doing so.
3. Encourages technology literacy: Video games are a part of modern culture and society. Providing students with an opportunity to engage with technology and gaming can help them develop technological literacy skills that are increasingly important in today's world.
4. Offers an outlet for stress: Video games can be a fun and engaging way to reduce stress and provide a healthy outlet for emotions. This can be especially important for students who may be dealing with challenges at home or in other areas of their lives.

As good as it may sound, there are also things to bear in mind when thinking about gaming as part of the school curriculum.

It is worth noting, however, that there are also potential downsides to excessive video gaming, such as addiction, decreased physical activity, and social isolation. Therefore, any decision to include an hour of recreational video gaming in a school curriculum should be carefully considered and balanced with other activities and priorities.

I am curious to know what you guys think. I mean, I am a gamer myself so I might be a little biased here....... let me know in the comments please <3