Spring Break
Local psychologist researches positive effects of video games with URI students
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Campus
04/25/08 - While many University of Rhode Island students look to video games as a distraction or a hobby, Randy Kulman, a clinical psychologist in Peace Dale, R.I., looks to them as a learning tool.
For the past 15 years, Kulman has been researching how video games can enhance the brain's executive functions - processes like quick thinking, strategizing, organizing and planning.
Kulman said that video games spark children's interests, and by pointing out different skills they teach, he can aid children with learning and attention disorders.
"The real key is telling them how to use the games," Kulman said, explaining that getting skills from the games is not something one picks up subconsciously. "Our goal is take some of that time we could say they're wasting away in front of the TV and use it to teach life skills."
During the past four summers, Kulman has looked to college students to assist him with his research, many of whom are URI students.
At the start of each summer, Kulman works with his interns, explaining concepts associated with the project. The students are then assigned video and Internet games, many of which are popular right now, like Brain Age or Zelda. Sometimes interns pick their own games.
Next comes the fun part: interns play the games. Some spend only a few minutes, others hours, locating skills from which children could benefit.
Afterward they record their findings in coaching guides, which are posted on Kulman's Web site, Learningworksforkids.com.
So far, Kulman said he and his interns have tested hundreds of games.
"College kids are ideal for me because they still like to play games, but they're able to step back and look at what they're doing," he said.
Kulman cited "Guitar Hero" as a game he continues to analyze. The game asks players to use buttons on a guitar to play notes that scroll quickly across the screen.
The sustained attention it requires, Kulman said, can help students to process visual information quicker, which ties into reading quicker.
For the past 15 years, Kulman has been researching how video games can enhance the brain's executive functions - processes like quick thinking, strategizing, organizing and planning.
Kulman said that video games spark children's interests, and by pointing out different skills they teach, he can aid children with learning and attention disorders.
"The real key is telling them how to use the games," Kulman said, explaining that getting skills from the games is not something one picks up subconsciously. "Our goal is take some of that time we could say they're wasting away in front of the TV and use it to teach life skills."
During the past four summers, Kulman has looked to college students to assist him with his research, many of whom are URI students.
At the start of each summer, Kulman works with his interns, explaining concepts associated with the project. The students are then assigned video and Internet games, many of which are popular right now, like Brain Age or Zelda. Sometimes interns pick their own games.
Next comes the fun part: interns play the games. Some spend only a few minutes, others hours, locating skills from which children could benefit.
Afterward they record their findings in coaching guides, which are posted on Kulman's Web site, Learningworksforkids.com.
So far, Kulman said he and his interns have tested hundreds of games.
"College kids are ideal for me because they still like to play games, but they're able to step back and look at what they're doing," he said.
Kulman cited "Guitar Hero" as a game he continues to analyze. The game asks players to use buttons on a guitar to play notes that scroll quickly across the screen.
The sustained attention it requires, Kulman said, can help students to process visual information quicker, which ties into reading quicker.
