Can the use of r4 cards be educational?

As most people are aware, the use of toys and games as a means of stimulating the thinking process in children has been used since civilisations began. The basic fact is that kids need to be entertained in order to get any kind of attention from them. In fact, the use of entertainment is a methodology used for teaching adults as well as minors. But how can we educate our children with computer games? One thing for sure, there are a lot of non-educational electronic games on the market today. The r4 card, one of the latest developments in the electronics industry, together with quality software and the essential micro SD card can store a minimum of 2G of games. With all that storage space on a DS or DSI, there’s surely enough room for a stack of games that can teach youngsters some valuable skills in life. Some traditionalists will argue that the use of any electronic games is unnecessary for teaching children or even giving the kids a bit of fun.

Certainly, the use of board games and play pens in comparison to sometimes noisy computer games you’ll find on most r4 equipped consoles, will never die out. One thing that many anti-computer games people have overlooked is the availability and popular use of electronic games for educational purposes. One such game that springs to mind is the stimulating and enjoyable (so my kids tell me) Sim City. Following the basic principles of old favourites like Lego, the plastic brick construction toy, Sim City gamers use their development and planning skills to create societies. Another very good point to consider when comparing traditional toys and games and the extremely stimulating games found on r4 enabled game consoles, is how kids relate to them. In this ever increasing world of technology and how we are all exposed to it on a daily basis, there’s no wonder children find it easier to relate to an electronic graphic than a plastic brick.

But before we go too far down the road of the hi-tech world, using the likes of push-along baby walkers will always be needed to teach toddlers essential functions. It is true to say that we can do almost anything on a computer today, but some things will always need to be taught by actual real participation by the learner. An educational favourite kids play with their r4 DS is the fascinating and extremely useful Roller Coaster Tycoon where players can build theme parks. This particular computer game develops strategic thinking in the user amongst other important life skills. Some of the interactive electronic games available today are quite simply amazing, allowing gamers to practise things such as dancing and playing tennis. However, when we think about the considerable difference between doing something for real and a computer simulation, we must realise that some practical skills can’t be effectively taught via a computer. The wooden work bench is a prime example of how a game on an r4 card couldn’t do the same job.