Entertainment Software Association CEO Testifies Before Congress About Video Games in Education

Entertainment Software Association (ESA) CEO Michael D. Gallagher will speak to Congress today in an attempt to advocate the advancement and growth about using computer and video games in education. The hearing, taking place before the House of Representative’s Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, is entitled “STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in Action: Inspiring the Science and Engineering Workforce of Tomorrow. In addition, Gallagher wishes to encourage students to pursue careers in these fields.

Educators are starting to recognize the value of entertainment software as a valuable teaching aid, as evident by the recent decision of schools in Auburn, Maine giving iPads to kindergarten students. Not only will the advancement of computer and video games being used in education help develop important life and workforce skills and grant knowledge, these tools are able to motivate students to gain an interest in science and technology at a young age, something that seems to currently be an issue.

We commend Chairman Hall and Ranking Member Johnson for their leadership on
this issue. Our industry’s interactive technology provides students with a
new mode of learning,” says Gallagher. “With the power to improve critical
thinking and problem solving skills, games are next-generation learning
tools that have the potential to transform the educational experiences of
children across the country. We encourage educators and policy makers to
take steps now to incorporate these resources into classrooms and ensure
that our young people are equipped for success in emerging STEM careers.

This is nothing new for the ESA; they’ve been active in the pursuit of garnering interest in science and technology for several years, being a leader in the Obama Administration’s 2009  “Educate to Innovate” campaign, awarding scholarships for aspiring young video game developers through their ESA Foundation Scholarship Program, and partnering with the White House Office of Science Technology Policy as a part of the First Annual National STEM Video Game Challenge, a competition that has the kids across the country designing innovative video games. Even Gallagher himself has been extremely active in the cause, being a judge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Apps for Healthy Kids” competition, a contest where software developers, students, and game designers created video games to encourage children to eat healthy and stay physically active.

Skeptics may argue about the “dangers” of introducing technology and video games, a constant hot issue on Capital Hill, at such a young age, but as someone who all but grew up on Sesame Street, and then later the Atari and Sega Genesis, I’d like to think I turned out fine. So do these people.

Share this article:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on tumblr
Tumblr
Share on email
Email
Share on whatsapp
WhatsApp

Recent Posts

Three fortnite character overlooking the map Features

How Fortnite Hurt The Gaming Industry

When Fortnite was initially released in 2017, it was a PVE defense game that didn’t seem like it would be around for long. With the growing popularity of games in …

Master Chief holding his helmet. Halo Infinite Features

What Halo Infinite Should Have Been

https://youtu.be/Cagxj2RchQI?si=_fFf3fs_fsh7d0Fq Many people have a gaming franchise that changed their life in some way. I have life-long friendships that have been formed while playing games like Mario Kart and Golden …

Gaming News

Should You Buy A Meta Quest 3S?

https://youtu.be/EVSbA2Yxx2k?si=G2KXmPguAB_45u5n Meta recencetly heald their Meta Connect conference and announced some excited things if you’re into VR and AR. The Meta Quest 2 was once the hottest item in their …

Halo Project Foundry Gaming News

What Is The Future of Halo?

https://youtu.be/a2CCRgycbLI?si=3juhSUwirUTpKWoJ There have been rumors for years about what is next for Halo. Today during the Halo World Championships, we got our answers. 343 Industries will now be known as …

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita's Rewind Gaming News

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind | Developer Interview

It may surprise many, but there has never been a Power Rangers arcade beat ’em up game. (I know right!?!?!) Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind is a passion project …

Jay and Silent Bob: Chronic Blunt Punch Gaming News

Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch | PAX West 2024

Going into PAX West 2024, I knew that I was going to enjoy ‘Jay and Silent Bob: The Chronic Blunt Punch’, but I did not know it was going to be …