新奇事件簿 网游有助提高学习成绩

Maybe kids playing online video games is not such a bad thing after all. A new study shows that teenagers who regularly played games online improved their test scores at school. However, the same study found that social media use was damaging to exam results. The study was conducted by professor Alberto Posso at Australia's RMIT University. Researchers analysed data on the online activities of more than 12,000 15-year-olds across the globe. It looked at their maths, reading and science scores. Professor Posso concluded that: "It is possible that a number of skills associated with online gaming correlate positively¹ with general knowledge and skills tests in maths, reading, and science."

儿童玩网游并非坏事。据最新研究表示，长期玩网游青年可提高学习成绩。但该研究还发现，使用社交媒体会影响学习成绩。这是澳大利亚皇家墨尔本理工大学教授阿尔贝托·波索进行的研究。研究人员对全球1.2万多名15岁青少年的网络活动进行了数据分析。并分析了他们的数学、阅读以及科学成绩。波索教授总结道：“与网游相关的许多技能很有可能与一些常识，以及在数学、阅读以及科学中所需要的技能成正相关。

Critics of the study suggest the findings may not be relevant today as the games are now outdated². Education expert Nicola Johnson said: "I think technology practices move so quickly, even within a year. While this study should make headlines, you have to say it's not really a reflection of current practice." However, she did admit that children could learn useful skills while gaming. She said: "Many games involve a lot of strategising, problem solving, goal setting and regular practice in order to obtain more skills. That kind of mindset would of course seemingly correspond with achievement and learning." Conversely, the study found that students who used social media a lot scored 20 points lower on maths tests.

许多批评人士指出，该发现与当今的游戏不存在相关性，如今这些游戏已过时了。教育专家尼古拉·约翰逊表示：“科技应用迅猛发展，甚至在短短的一年内就有如此快的发展。尽管这项研究可以上头版，但的确不能反映当今科技发展。”但她承认儿童可以通过游戏习得有用技能。她认为：“许多游戏包含大量与策略制定、问题解决、制定目标以及为获得技能所进行的实践。此类观念看起来与成就和学习相吻合。”相反，使用社交媒体的学生数学成绩会下降20分。

1 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

2 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。