Thinking Skills Club Playdate For Parents and Kids on Video Games for Learning

TORONTO, ON, July 20, 2012 (Press-News.org) Can playing computer games really help kids learn? A recent surge of research on the topic seems to think so, inspiring Mitch Moldofsky, a parent, instructional designer and Cognitive Science student to create the Thinking Skills Club, an online curriculum of ordinary computer games that target six areas of cognitive enhancement--or as Moldofsky prefers it, "thinking skills."

On Thursday July 26, Moldofsky will be holding two information sessions for parents while their kids play the games in an adjoining room. The club aspect is important, he says, because kids like playing together. "Even if they're playing at home, the club gives them the feeling they're not doing this alone." The website was developed with real kids in an actual club at a Toronto school, where students in grades 3-6 gathered to play the games in the library after hours. "It was great to see the kids interact together," says Moldofsky. "I didn't anticipate that."

The website tracks student progress using a six section "brain puzzle," similar to collecting the six pie pieces in Trivial Pursuit. Having a brain puzzle requires membership on the site. "It ensures the kids play games in the different areas," says Moldofsky, "rather than just the ones they're good at." Moldofsky hopes that parents will see the value in directing their kids to the site, especially if they're already playing games on the computer. For tablets and phones, the site also lists game apps that can be constructive.

"Get them playing brain builders rather than time wasters," he says, "That's my ultimate goal."

About the Thinking Skills Club
Research has shown that playing ordinary computer games can improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention or empathy. The Thinking Skills Club website (kids.thinkingskillsclub.com) organizes these games into a curriculum that motivates kids via a Brain Puzzle. It can be used at home, in a classroom or a club setting. A "Grown Ups" sister site (www.thinkingskillsclub.com) has information for educators, a Leader's Guide for those who want to start a local club, and links to relevant research.