| I understand the addictive and short-term-reward nature of video games. But for many, video games are also a gateway drug into technology! I tend to think that video games (and tabletop games) are educational on their own. For example, I think RPGs, strategy games, and puzzle games are pretty good for thinking and planning, while shooters and action games are good for eye-hand coordination and reaction time. I also think it's educational to build, configure, benchmark, and optimize a gaming PC. Also if gaming is something you do with friends (especially in-person), then it has social benefits as well. If he's interested, I'd encourage him to get involved in game programming and mods. I think that programming in particular can synergize with algebra (e.g. variables and expressions) and geometry (since logical reasoning is used in algorithms as well as geometric proofs, and graphics often require geometry and trigonometry.) Robotics and real-world computing and electronics can also be fun and game-like. For some (many?), hands-on activities can be more engaging than pure software. Maybe he might enjoy building robotics or electronics kits or projects, or building something at a local wood, metal, or machine shop or maker space. We live in such a virtual world of screens that it is often refreshing to work with our hands with physical things. Also sports and physical activity are good for getting away from youtube and improving the delivery of oxygen to your brain (excepting possible head injuries that are common in certain sports.) |