Can Video Games Improve Reading Scores?

MOSS POINT, Miss. (AP) - Moss Point school officials are hoping
a certain video game will have a positive effect on students'
reading scores.
Students at Orange Lake Elementary yesterday (Thursday) played
the popular video game called Dance Dance Revolution, which the
school district is using as its newest reading incentive.
School library worker Mary Huntwork says students will be
required to read a book at their reading level and score an average
of 85 percent or higher on book tests in order to play the video
game.
Dance Dance Revolution is often found in video arcades. It
requires players to do certain dance steps at a certain speed to
score points.
The system has been booked up to a digital white board in the
Orange Lake library, and students yesterday (Thursday) competed
against each other in pairs to see who could come out on top.
Huntwork said the technology department purchased the game machine
for about $1,500.
A unit will be installed in all six of the district's elementary
schools.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)