Video Games Could Become Training Tools

The Defense Department is seriously looking at the possibility of incorporating video games into future simulation training packages. The initiative would take advantage of the enormous popularity video and computer games enjoy among service members. Presented in the proper context and format, video games that are geared toward training could help service members determine areas of strength and weakness during the learning process. "If you’ve been playing a game, maybe it has to do with some tactical decision making, and the game could notice you were strong on this, perhaps weak on that. That could be fed back to the structured learning environment," said Robert A. Wisher, director of DoD’s advanced distributed learning (ADL) initiative, on May 21. "Then you can get additional training on those areas you are weak in." The department is collaborating with the gaming industry to determine what simulator games would be both cost-effective and practical.