10 June 2011
Dr Paul-Howard Jones brought some razzle-dazzle to the Bristol Festival of Education on Thursday evening, with his self-made game show "Brain Game". Members of the public took part in the interactive quiz to find out if our everyday use of technology is rewiring our brains and affecting our social lives.
Paul presented research on teenagers' use of videogames and Facebook, and the effect Google is having on all of our minds. He took on some big statements from eminent academics, including the idea that the human brain is under threat from technology, and introduced the idea that gaming could be effective in the future of education. Children get the most satisfaction from unexpected praise and reward, Paul said, which explains the thrill we all have when presented with a fifty-fifty chance of winning, and is a great way to make learning interactive in the classroom.
"Technology is radically changing our lives and children are at the forefront of this revolution. As a parent I have a personal interest in wanting to separate the tabloid fiction from the scientific facts and understand what is really going on."
Meanwhile, ten teams competed and took their own chances on winning and losing points, in order to secure the star prize that was up for grabs last night: a coveted and one-of-a-kind "19-carat" golden brain.
The Bristol Festival of Education continues through to the 20th of June2011 with a wide range of themes and guest speakers.
