If you’re like me, you might think that video games are just for kids.
But according to Richard Restak, MD, video games can improve the brain at any age. In fact, certain types of games have even been shown to increase IQ in older adults.
Richard Restak is the Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington Hospital University and author of Think Smart: A Neuroscientist’s Prescription for Improving Your Brain’s Performance.
Watch below to learn how video games can change the brain.
It’s fascinating to hear how these games could make us sharper and quicker.
But of course, there is a downside to video games, too. We’ll be getting into this and more in our Brain Science Webinar Series.
In the meantime, do you have a story about how video games have affected some of your patients? Please leave us a comment below.
Check out the research by Dr. Jayne Gackenbach on virtual worlds, technology, and video games in relation to dreaming and various states of consciousness
http://www.playreality.ca/
http://www.spiritwatch.ca/virtual_worlds.html
Interested in Wedneday free program. Is this part of it?
hope you also look at the work of Dr. Michael Merzenich, an early pioneer in the study of neuroplasticity
– he is an emeritus @ UC San Francisco and co-founder of Posit Corporation who has been doing
extensive work, including video training for increasing processing speed in older drivers
– i was struck by a comment from one of your presenters that much of the neuroscience apps would
be relevant for educators- fact is there has been a burgeoning of apps of neuroscience findings by
edu folks, markedly more than what has touched our clinical universe- this is why so pleasantly
surprised when a colleague told me about your NICOBAM website- web is peppered with websites and workshops for teachers applying brain science findings to the classroom- leads me to a suggestion
for a presenter- early in my interest in this area, while on the staff of a forensic state hospital, I read
a book by a Biologist who is faculty at Case Western Reserve Reserve U., The Art of Changing the
Brain- he was also involved in a sciences faculty group focused on improving learning in science
courses by helping teaching faculty apply knowledge about how the brain learns to how they work
with students- the book is almost encyclopedic for neuroscience studies and practical implications for
teaching-learning -name is James Zull – the word therapy appears nowhere in his book, but made me
think would be much benefit in commnication between some of the edu folks and clinicians- one
unique contribution is his discussion of the brain as a system and inferring goals of the brain- system
engineers would not undertake to repair or invent a system without identifying its goals – although not
the last word on goals, it might be a basis for someday defining mental health or illness in terms of
how well the brain is doing its work- Zull infers goals from structures and communication pathways,
and cites survival, avoiding harm and seeking pleasure- his work was very influential in my own
kindle book, Neuroplasticity-Biology of Psychotherapy (admittedly shameless self-promotion).
He did a very interesting presentation to our clinical staff at the hospital, but this was some years ago.
I would recommend looking at his book and considering him as a speaker who would be relevant,
but coming at the subject of brain learning in terms of education. My own conclusion, after study
of neuroscience developments and applications, is that all psychotherapy is education, involves
self-directed neuroplasticity and applies a wide range of educational interventions.
Hi Herman
I am an educator, a molecular biologist. Although I can study, read the recommended books to educate myself about recent findings in neurosciences and their application to education but can you suggest a course or an academic program that can help facilitate my learning and enable me to apply, propagate and teach this kind of intervention. Thanks, Himani
so far as I know, there is a paucity of academic activity in this area- suggest read Jim Zull’s
book because down to earth discussions in his committee for teaching excellence as faculty
teachers from hard sciences talked about frustrations in trying to teach students in fields like
math, physics, biology, and tried practical brain-friendly apps – also do what I did some years ago
and phone him at the Biology department, Case Western Reserve University – he might still be
offering workshops for educators, and is the kind of person who would be happy to provide what
info he has to answer your question – should find some info at website “sharp brains” or
Eric Jensen who is the main person in that outfit- they offer workshops for teachers, have done work at a number of schools, and might know of programs
hope this is some help
Herman
Dr.Daniel Amen has developed a high school course for teenagers on “How to Have a HEALTHY BraIn”