A three-year study by scientists in England has revealed something you probably already knew: computer games are good for you.
　　While many scientists believe that playing computer games is not healthy, researchers at London University say that computer games should be taught in classrooms because the games build certain creative skills.
　　Whether raiding1 tombs with Lara Croft or leading adventures with donkey and Shrek, kids who play computer games have a valuable way of expressing themselves, “Just like writing and drawing,” said chief researcher Caroline Pelletier.
　　Many parents consider their kids' computer games a waste of time and money. However, many wildly popular games are creative and constructive, Pel letier said. She said schools should encourage children to play video games2, talk about them, and even create their own games in class. Andrew Burn, of the London University Institute of Education, said schools should teach computer games in much the same way that they teach film, television, and literature.
　　The study suggests that youngsters can hone3 their literacy4 skills by studying game programs and even writing their own programs5.
　　Burn singled out6 “The Sims,” in which players create virtual7 families. The game requires kids to solve real-life challenges. “You just put the characters together in a house and keep them happy,” Burn said.

英国科学家一项历时3年的研究揭示了一个问题，大家可能早就知道，那就是玩电脑游戏是好事。
　　虽然许多科学家认为玩电脑游戏有损健康，伦敦大学的研究人员却说，课堂上应该讲授电脑游戏，因为玩游戏能培养某些创造能力。
　　无论是和劳拉·卡芙特一起盗墓，还是同驴子和史莱克一道冒险，玩电脑游戏的孩子们都在用一种有意义的方式表现自我。“就跟写作和画画一样，”该研究负责人卡罗琳·皮莱迪尔说。
　　许多父母认为孩子玩电脑游戏浪费时间和金钱。然而，很多广为流行的游戏是有创造性的，有积极作用，皮莱迪尔说。她说学校应该鼓励孩子们玩游戏，讨论游戏，甚至在课堂上制作自己的游戏。伦敦大学教育学院的安德鲁·伯恩说，学校应该以教电影、电视和文学的方式来教电脑游戏。
　　研究表明，青少年在学习游戏程序甚至自己编程过程中，能够提高读写能力。
　　伯恩特别提到游戏《西姆一家》，玩该游戏要创建虚拟家庭，要求孩子们解决实际生活中的难题。“你要把这些人物组成一个家庭，让他们快乐地生活。”伯恩说。