When I was in third or fourth grade, we had computers with The Incredible Machine and Oregon Trail on them. So many dead buffalo. Good times.

I think kids should be forced to play through Lufia 2 at some point. It has great puzzles but isn't all about puzzles, so they wouldn't realize that they're being tricked into learning how to solve problems. Also, early PC games with that same kind of dynamic would be great for them, with the added benefit that we'd be teaching a whole generation to appreciate older games. Too bad games cause human sacrifice and extinction events (or whatever they're being blamed for these days). I'd imagine we're in a time period where few would be willing to use games as a teaching tool given all the politically-motivated innuendo about their effects on players.

In the past I am told video games are bad because of studies, social life, health reason.

Now I am told video games are bad because of sexist, bigotry, discrimination, patriarch reason.

When did we come to the conclusion that video games are good?

I think every serious scientific study ever made on the subject has come to that conclusion. However, the media aren't interested in facts these days, they are interested in headlines. And "OMG Video games turn everyone into serial killers!" sells more papers/gets more viewers than "Video games shown to increase valuable skills".

I learned more about history by playing Age of Empires 2 than from history lessons at school. Not to mention other subjects. And I learned more English from various games than from any private language courses I attended at the time.

Especially historical and/or strategy games. You can get a virtual history degree from playing Paradox or Ageod/Matrix/Slitherine titles. Anytime that prepping for a game requires book purchases and a trip to the library, you know you're gonna get your learn on.

Thanks for posting. The article is subtle and not that positive overall, it clearly states there are many kinds of games with no discernible impact. Also it seems to not focus at all on cultural aspects - learning about history, learning how to behave in society, etc... but strictly cognitive functions?

Overall not sure there's anything new there (I didn't read it all), or even controversial (you could spin it in sensationalist manner I'm sure - I can think of two spins straight away), so no surprise it gets no press. If it bleeds it leads, right?

The story of my life so far.

i remembered they made us play some word shooter game back in the 90s in school.and a little later on, more boring quiz-like math games with CUTTING EDGE VGA GRAPHICS!. kids should be forced to play suikoden 1, to learn about brotherhood, meninism, and catching 'em all.

Always take your five a day (more like month) – strategy, shooter, adventure, simulation, and RPG. Without these your brain will wither into nothingness, and you will not know who Saladin is unless he shows up in a big movie like Kingdom of Heaven.

School had only a few games in my day. A Bomberman clone could be found on the Acorn computers, but the more interesting one going around was a basic badger simulator which was probably 'Badger Trails'. Later proper PCs gave us Encarta Mind Maze, which really appealed to me as a fan of the Knightmare TV show.

SW2 taught me about tolerance, equality, and the dangers of running with very sharp swords - i.e. that's its really good fun.

Its sad that in 2015, we still have to defend or justify our largely harmless and rewarding hobby. All I can say is the moral guardians won't live forever ;) I learned more about history, geography and civilization playing strategy games, than I think I learned in school.

MMORPGs are also a great way to study human nature and psychology from a safe distance. And as far as the twitchy button mashing games go, I may have them to thank for better reaction time, which comes in really handy when you drive around where I do.

RPGs also teach great organization, planning and teamwork skills. Inventory management, long term planning (where you have to know how you're going to build up your character from the start, and stick to it), how to coordinate different roles in a party, etc.

Almost every medium was demonized at some point. But eventually gaming will have gone through the fire, and it will be something else. Virtual reality I guess.

Kids would also start to love their homework, and parents couldn't complain their children do homework too many hours per day plus the whole weekend. School tests for video gaming could be pretty easily arranged too, just put all the schoolchildren in a TeamFortress 2 match, and rate them by their scores.

I recall reading some article before (linked from GOG.com) how some teacher made the students play Fallout (the first game) at home, and then they discussed together about the different aspects of it.

As long as you get frequent exercise, proper vitamin intake, and a screen with lower blue light you'll be better off too.

Many people die from gaming too, because they overdo it. Everything in moderation... it's a hobby, not oxygen.

About your second statement, maybe you should check out this article:
http://www.socialjusticeleague.net/2011/09/how-to-be-a-fan-of-problematic-things/