Three out of five 11-16-year-olds would like to use computer games to learn in school, according to an Ipsos/MORI survey.

The research also revealed that younger children were more likely toplay games than their older counterparts with 46% of 11-year-oldsplaying games every day compared with 25% of 15-16 year olds.

The survey, which was commissioned as part of Teaching with Gamesresearch project, also found that 38% of those who did not want toinclude games in school would rather play them at home - suggestingthat they see education and computer games as separate activities.

Nearly90% of those who said they would like to use games at school said itwould make lessons more interesting. More than two-thirds ofrespondents thought that games would improve their computer skills andjust under half thought that they would help to improve strategicthinking skills such as problem solving.

Students also felt that games can have negative effects such as reinforcing stereotypes.

“Youngpeople play computer games not because they are easy or mindless, butprecisely because they are the opposite of that - they are hard,” saidMike Rumble, curriculum adviser at the Qualifications CurriculumAuthority (QCA).

“The outcome of this research will informfurther development of learning technologies and the issues thatteachers may need to consider when using games software in school.”