Definitely! In a research project carried out by Yale University, children who were taught Mind Lab thinking models improved their performance in problem solving tests from 69% to 88%, while the control group improved only one point during the research period. The study was carried out in three stages:
- In the first stage, all the children were presented with the computerized version of the game "Rush Hour". This advanced version monitors the children's performance and collates it into a database.
- In the second stage, the children in the research group were taught abstract models for problem solving and their analogies to real life situations. Subsequently they were shown how these models could be applied directly in games. The children in the control group simply participated in free-play gaming sessions.
- In the third stage, all the children were taught a new problem solving game, "Lunar Lockout". Both groups receive identical instruction.
The results clearly show that the children taught the Mind Lab meta-cognitive methods significantly improved their performance levels in relation to their counterparts in the control group.
Mind Lab develops social and emotional skills too. Strategic game playing involves communication, cooperation, competition, and a "safe" environment to practice skills such as graceful winning and losing, the ability to effectively manage emotions, defer gratification and enhance determination, perseverance and self-discipline.
