Games are educational - even when they aren't intended to be.

Although this article focuses on the educational uses that games can be put to, and on language study particularly, he misses, I think, the bigger picture. Namely, anything that kids pay attention to teaches something.

That something may not be 'good' in either a societal sense has just as strong a chance of teaching as the good things. It really depends upon the parents to put things in context. Saying "That's not real - you can'tdo that in real life (IRL)," when they see on the news that yes, bad things do happen in real life, just makes them not trust you. discussing that although some people might do some things that they see in a game doesn't mean that they should and why is a better option, I think.

Getting back to 'good' educational aspects of games. as more and more jobs require computer literacy and invovle some form of simulation (spreadsheets are a simulation, too) the ability simply to use the machines becomes more important. Likewise, many games do have content that, when understood, teaches. Civilization III Conquests (which my company made), has some real 'history' behind it. Children of the Nile (tm TiltedMill) likewise.

Even Everquest II can be said to teach many things.
1) It's very complex, so you don't have the oversimplification of life you might see in other games.
2) Actions have consequences - quests require followthrough
3) Teamwork becomes increasingly important as you level
4) Making things in the game (crafting) requires a proscribed set of steps and ingredients and can be traded or sold on either a open market or to a retailer. This helps kids understand that TVs don't just grow on trees, and neither does money.

Anyway, recognizing that MORE SO THAN TV, games teach, both intentionally and un-, will help parents choose and hopefully involve themselves in games with their kids.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Games help you 'learn and play'