Disadvantages of Computer Games in Education

Computers are ubiquitous in education. Most schools possess some sort of computer program for students; it may include a laptop for each student in grade 4 and better, sophisticated computer labs on school campuses, and computer networks. There are several disadvantages of using computer games in education, and also the disadvantages can potentially be bad for students. Here are some Disadvantages of Computer Games in Education.

Distracted Students

Computer games can frequently distract students so that, rather than learning the concepts presented within the game, they are focusing attention on aspects of the game that don't have related to learning the concept. For instance, an addition with manipulatives game in the ABCya website has loud music being an introduction. The music can distract students at the beginning of the game, causing them to not focus on the addition skills they're about to learn. The narrator from the game, a pirate, may cause students to focus too much attention on which the pirate does. Once students arrive at the math problem, they could be tempted to click on all of the game elements, guessing the solution instead of figuring out the issue.

Nothing Learned

Often students playing computer games that concentrate on a drill for example addition and subtraction know the skill, so the students don't learn anything. To ensure that students to learn in a lesson, they have to add to what they know. For example, a teacher may have the class playing the addition with manipulatives game towards the whole class, when some within the class already know how to include two three digit numbers with regrouping.

Lack of Inclusive Language

Many games, like the Oregon Trail, make reference to Americans as "we" without considering who "we" is. Games like Oregon Trail, discussed within an interview with Bill Bigalow around the History Matters website, aren't inclusive to all minority groups. Bigelow said: "There is really a coercive element to the language which is used in a history class---and in media more generally, for your matter---that demands that students recognize the policies from the U.S. government as well as U.S. elites: 'We' visited war in Vietnam. 'We traveled west around the Oregon Trail." Based on Bigelow, African Americans were excluded from many Oregon Trail wagon trains, to ensure that when the narrator of the Oregon Trail game states that "we" traveled with the Oregon Trail wagon trains, the "we" doesn't include African Americans.

Social Skills

Computer use within the home and school can provide students little time to interact with one another so that they learn few social skills. Heavy computer use can isolate students, keeping them from making new friends. Students who are already isolated and lonely often choose playing computer games instead of using social skills to talk with others.