To game or not to game : the influence of video gaming on the academic performance of post-secondary students

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to research the video gaming subculture at the post-secondary and how video gaming influences the academic performance of the students. A review of literature regarding research ABOUT games, research WITH games, and research about the effects FROM games was compiled. Subsequently, the investigation was carried out by means of a survey at a post-secondary institution and a number of semi-structured interviews with former post-secondary students. Through the survey and interviews, data about the academic performance and the main gaming tendencies such as time dedicated to gaming and gaming motivations were collected. From this data, the influence of video gaming on academic performance was deduced. Furthermore, the perceptions on how video gaming effected their post secondary years were discussed. This study, in agreement with the literature, shows that video gaming has both positive and negative influences on students. Trends that non- the time dedicated to gaming and academic performance have emerged from the surveys and interviews. However, this study points to the various positive effects of gaming, such as its role as medium for entertainment, stress release, and socialisation. Thus, extreme positions about video gaming should be avoided. Gaming should neither be considered as a curse nor as a blessing. Every situation should be considered on its own merits as in reality video gaming effects every individual in a different way.