We’ve come a long way since Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, and Centipede ruled the day. Over the last 30 years, video games have grown almost as fast as Jack’s beanstalk, sprouting a pair of mushroom killing plumbers, a half-dressed woman who hunts for long lost relics, and even an entire Internet-based world filled with warlocks, mages, and ogres vying for virtual supremacy.

Since the creation of Atari in 1972, parents, teachers, and even writers have condemned the use of video games as a source of entertainment. Noted author Ray Bradbury once stated in an interview,

Video games are a waste of time for men with nothing else to do.

With that said, let’s pinpoint some of the negatives many of the critics tout:

1. Video games encourage a sedentary lifestyle that can lead to anti-social behavior and health problems.
2. Many games glorify violence and other immoral acts.
3. Video games can fuel addiction to harmful substances, such as alcohol and/or drugs.

Despite these claims, researchers around the country are beginning to discuss the various benefits of video games, especially in today’s tech-oriented world. A study conducted by Bryn Mawr College, for example, declares that video games help both children and adults to…

1. Increase spatial awareness, which includes the organization of complex plans and strategies.
2. Improve quick thinking and hand-eye coordination.
3. Build teamwork skills in multiplayer settings.
4. Set goals and work hard to achieve them.
5. Work with advanced technology, especially computers and the Internet.

Though each of these benefits can be applied to education in general, they can be extremely valuable in the world of online learning. Students in online programs profit greatly from an in-depth knowledge of computers, software platforms, and especially Internet communication. Distance learning necessitates the use of Web programs, chat rooms, email, and online clipboards to both turn in assignments and interact with professors and peers. Furthermore, since online learning requires a high amount of self-direction, the ability to set goals and formulate strategies is a must. And who knows, experience playing a console or Internet-based game could turn a mere hobby into a rewarding career.

I’ll be the first to admit that video games can be addicting. God knows I’ve spent a few too many hours storming the beach at Normandy on the Xbox360 or racing through the rolling hills of Tuscany in a Ferrari I could never afford in real life. But can’t almost anything be addicting?

So, the next time you see someone immersed in a Web-based fantasyland or touring the world with their own virtual rock band, consider that they may be learning a thing or two in the process.