Monday's Lesson - Phun version

Today's lesson is to quit nagging and let me play my game.

"Video Games Gain Scholarly Respect

from the Miami Herald (Registration Required)

Here is a good news story for all self-proclaimed video game geeks and their worried parents. The latest word is that video gaming is good for you. Amid concerns that video games lead to aggressive behavior and dumb kids down, there's new research that claims gaming actually helps build brain power, hones critical thinking skills and teaches teamwork and other socialization skills.

Who's buying into the new attitude? Scores of academics and scientists at universities, summer cyber camps, and even the "genius grants" people at The MacArthur Foundation.

Modern video and computer games offer a rich landscape of adventure and challenge that appeal to a growing number of Americans, according to a 2006 study by the Federation of American Scientists. The study -- 'Harnessing The Power of Video Games for Learning' -- concluded that gamers acquire new knowledge and complex skills from electronic play. It went so far as to suggest that proper use of video gaming could keep American kids competitive when it comes to high-tech jobs of the future."