More Evidence: Playing the Right Type of Video Game Improves Real-world Brain Performance
Last week, yet nother study showing the beneficial impact of playing video games appeared in the news. Traci Sitzmann, as assistant professor of management at the University of Colorado, Denver, did a meta-analysis of a number of different studies to find out if training workers would improve performance on the job. Her conclusion:
… [she examined] 65 studies and data from 6,476 trainees and discovered those using video games had an 11 percent higher factual knowledge level, a 14 percent higher skill-based knowledge level and a 9 percent higher retention rate than trainees in comparison groups.
The initial article appeared in the American Society for Training & Development’s magazine T+D, and the full paper will be published in the journal Personnel Psychology. You can read a summary here.
Dr. Sitzmann highlighted several keys to designing a computer-based game for successful training. The games should do the following:
- Be interactive, not based on a series of questions and answers
- Be easily accessible be so they can played as often as needed
- Be a part of a broader training effort
These principles are related to how Posit Science thinks about our brain training products. We improve foundational skills by improving the speed and accuracy of brain processing. The software is built to provide easy access on the desktop or on-line with no limitations as to the ability to train. And we think of our program as a piece of a holistic approach to improving brain performance that includes physical exercise, healthy diet, social engagement and brain training.
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Posted: Benefits of Brain Fitness, Posit Science software, Research studies
Posit Science's corporate blog is the place where our employees share their thoughts about Posit Science and its products, brain fitness, breakthroughs in neuroscience, and any other topic they find interesting and relevant. 
October 26th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
It is frustrating that the measure of brain training is often supplanted for content knowledge.
October 27th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Christine -
That confusion often comes up … the brain training software that Posit Science creates improves the underlying effectiveness and efficiency of the brain. This improvment primes an individual for better learning and retention of specific content among other benefits.
There are some training programs that do teach specific knowledge or skills, e.g., the example in Dr. Stizmann’s paper of Cold Stone Creamery teaching employees the correct size of a scoop of ice cream.
Steven
April 19th, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Interesting post. I enjoyed it very much! Thanks. Let me know about new posts, Garrett Major