Over 90 percent of male adolescents in Switzerland regularly play video games. This percentage has been stable for the past ten years. Among girls, about 50 percent identify themselves as gamers. According to the ZHAW’s James Study, the average gaming time of male adolescents is 15 hours per week.

To be successful in games, gamers need various skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication and adaptability. These competencies coincide to a high degree with the “Seven Survival Skills” for a successful career defined by educational scientist Tony Wagner. Meanwhile, there are findings from research that some of these skills improve because of gaming. There is much to suggest that computer games are far more than entertaining pastimes, but actual learning machines.

Panelists:

• Sergio Casucci, Head of Department Vocational & Career Counseling; Department of Social Affairs; City of Zurich
• Anna Lisa Martin-Niedecken, Head of the Institute for Design Research, Game Design, Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) & CEO of Sphery AG
• Prof. Hansjörg Künzli, Head of the Department of Diagnostics and Counseling; Lecturer for Counseling Psychology, Coaching and Methodology; ZHAW Schoof of Applied Psychology
• David Schmocker, Project Manager DISK4U (Strengthening digital skills of lecturers), University Didactics UZH & High School Teacher (Education and Psychology), Kantonsschule Baden, Member of DSI Community Gaming
• Marc Bodmer, MLaw UZH, Game Consultant & Cyberculturist, UZH-Alumni, Moderation