Digital Games in the School: improving attention and cognitive flexibility

Abstract:

This study analyzes the effects of the use of digital games in the school context for the improvement of cognitive flexibility and attention. This research is featured as a quasi-experimental study, involving 100 children divided into two groups: participant and control. We proposed interventions for the use of digital games five days a week for six weeks on the classroom. Both groups were assessed before and after the intervention based on the application of psychological tests. The results showed that the participant group, when compared to the control group, had a significant improvement concerning attention (p<0.005) and cognitive flexibility (p <0.05). This suggests that the use of digital games can contribute to the improvement of the executive functions.

Keywords:
Digital Games; Executive Functions; Attention; Cognitive Flexibility; School