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FINAL ESSAY - Video Games and the Cognitive Functions (pdf also attached bellow)

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FINAL ESSAY - Video Games and the Cognitive Functions (pdf also attached bellow)

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In Half-Life – a first-person action game – the player must survive an endless number of different situations. Doctor Freeman, the protagonist, embarks in a long and powerful journey inside the Black Mesa complex, fighting against hordes of aliens and an army of bad guys, while solving the most complex and original puzzles. These includes searching for items and switches inside the gigantic facility, traversing deadly ways and helping the local scientists to survive. It is all about intelligence and acumen. A fact that is little known about video games are its contributions to the enhancement of cognitive functions of the player. People like to argue about the dangers of the video game addiction (e.g., violence/ aggressiveness inducting, lack of social interaction, decrease of grades in school and so on), but are, in fact, rejecting all the beneficial side effects that follow-up this channel. These may include the improvement of cognitive skills like perception, awareness, and other high-grade functions (Green & Seitz, 2015, vol. 2(I), p. 103-104) due to an unique feature of this media: according to Clark (as cited in Gee, 2003) people feels as if their body and mind have stretched into a new dimension. An analysis of how video games could assist in the development of each one of these cognitive functions, and what are they, becomes necessary for better understanding such affirmation.
Pursuant to the text “Neuropsicologia: Funções Cognitivas”, from Portal Educação website, 2013, perception corresponds to the cognitive function that represents the ability to form and distinguish the stimuli coming from the environment through sensory organs, in order to give them a meaning. With this concept in mind, it is not difficult to claim that some categories of video games (i.e., action games) can actively play a significant role in the increment of a player perception. Indeed, the need to rapidly respond to important stimuli inside a somewhat cluttered virtual world can be noticed (Green & Seitz, 2015, vol. 2(I), p. 104). The player needs to face a variety of complex and deadly situations, always quickly responding to on-screen commands, while trying to maintain the character alive.
Awareness depicts a greatly complex function and its degree is established by the particular behavior. In order to the attention be well received, it is important that the focus be sustained. Also, the awareness represents a major role in current processes for memorization (“Neuropsicologia: Funções Cognitivas”, Portal Educação website, 2013). Action games – and many others – incorporates tons of aspects straightly connected with the above-mentioned. According to Feng, Spence, & Pratt, 2007; Green & Bavelier, 2003 (as cited in Green & Seitz, 2015), studies already demonstrated that digital games are likely to make for a refinement of visual attentional skills. This can happen as a consequence of two of the various competencies that a player must master to progress in the game world: “the ability to find a particular target from within a large field of view when the target is surrounded by task-irrelevant distracting items […] or to track a small subset of moving items from within a larger field of visually identical moving items” (Green & Seitz, 2015, vol. 2(I), p. 104).  Secondly, as argued by Myers, Ball, Kalina, Roth, & Goode, 2000 (as cited in Green & Seitz, 2015), the mastering of the mentioned competencies are associated with positive real-world results, as the decrease of driving accidents among the elderly population.
Numerous studies suggests that superior cognitive functions are also positively affected by video game playing (Green & Seitz, 2015). As stated in the text “As Funções Cognitivas Superiores”, by Olhar o Cérebro website, 2016, superior cognitive functions encompass all capabilities particular of human beings. They are all interwined and can be noticed in the relationships of people with each other, plus in the intercourse of men with the world around them (e.g., learning, data processing, language, communication, memory). Accordingly with Green & Seitz (2015, vol. 2(I), p. 104) “individuals can switch between competing tasks more efficiently after action video game training”. An explanation to this can be found when more closely examining these games: they put the player inside a scenario that is always changing between fast pacing battles and more cautious situations. Also, “other aspects of cognitive function improved by action video game training include the ability to multitask […] and the ability to mentally rotate objects” (Green & Seitz, 2015, vol. 2(I), p. 104). As a matter of fact, exists some games that require the player to engage in a variety of actions at the same time, as well as games that provide the player with a “object rotation mechanic” to look obtained items with more detail (sometimes, these are the same games that have multitasking moments).
Analysing how digital games can assist in the perception, awareness and high-grade cognitive functions, and summarizing their main features, helped to better understand the importance of video games. Them, despite being a form of one entertain itself, can turn into a powerful educational instrument. Action games enhance the reflex of players, placing them in a cluttered world, that demands rapid feedback; locating items and targets inside this saturated world makes for a refinement of attention, also playing an important role in [better] real life results; finally, the multitasking game mechanics serves as a “formula” that, surely, contribute for the development of high-grade cognitive functions. Games make the gamer immerse with body and mind in a fantasy world that has its own rules, tasks, protagonists and antagonists. But all this “fairly-tale” can lead to better development of human brain. Of course, as everything in life, people needs to control the usage and time spent in this activity. But has come time to see all the good collateral effects of this media. Its time of evolution.

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All students in high school need to learn and have a concrete basis about ethics. This subject is essential for a good conviviality in society and, in fact, one makes decisions in a variety of ways in the daily life (e. g., in the way home you should not throw garbage in the street; in the job, you need to be a fair person and never harm someone). Furthermore, all politicians need to have a more ethical behavior (particularly, the Brazilians ones), and in order to this happen, they all should only be allowed to occupy such positions in society with a high school diploma in hands - and, of course, ethics shall be a compulsory subject in all high schools . As a consequence, the great number of corruption and political scandals would be reduced. To sum up, in all different contexts of the daily life, for everyone, ethics serves as the decisive balance between right and wrong, good and evil.

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Math can be considered one of the most important subjects at high school for a number of reasons.  Indeed, many disciplines at university require a solid previous knowledge on it. For example, in Business School, subjects like statistic and financial mathematics do require a background in math, as in these disciplines a student needs to comprehend the reasoning line that comes attached in every mathematical formula usage (how and when use them). In addition, various jobs are related in one form or another with it, like engineering, administration, programming and so many others. Even someone who never will work with something related to math, will still need the reasoning that comes with it. A football player, for instance, needs to think as fast as possible and make his move. In short, all students should learn math.

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What are the 3 most important subjects that students should study in high school to prepare them for the future? Why? 

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What are the 3 most important subjects that students should study in high school to prepare them for the future? Why? 

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A long time ago, Einstein quoted: "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school". While this can be true, its important to correctly understand the real meaning of what this genius said. Even tough one person grow up and eventually lack some of the more precise information about one specific subject in high school, there are three disciplines that assist in the understanding about the world. These subjects contribute to students become more critic (and better) persons. Therefore, understanting, at least, their fundamental basis - being "educated" and familiarized with - will surely help the student at college, at labor market and in a variety of situations in the daily life.
A good understanding of portuguese is essential for students. Text comprehension represents a major role in the academic life. For instance, the exam that defines if a student will become part of the university requires the answer of many reading and text comprehension questions. Also, being acquainted and skilled with the language is necessary in the professional life, as a newly graduated needs to know how to write a good CV. Thus, a good worker uses accurate writing and speech in the job, demonstrating clearly his ideas. All this said, it is easy to claim that portuguese will be needed in all life stages.
Math can be considered one of the most important subjects at high school for a number of reasons.  Indeed, many disciplines at university require a solid previous knowledge on it. For example, in Business School, subjects like statistic and financial mathematics do require a background in math, as in these disciplines a student needs to comprehend the reasoning line that comes attached in every mathematical formula usage (how and when use them). In addition, various jobs are related in one form or another with it, like engineering, administration, programming and so many others. Even someone who never will work with something related to math, will still need the reasoning that comes with it. A football player, for instance, needs to think as fast as possible and make his move. In short, all students should learn math.
All students in high school needs to learn and have a concrete basis about ethics. This subject is essential for a good conviviality in society and, in fact, one makes decisions in a variety of ways in the daily life (e.g., in the way home you should not throw garbage in the street; in the job, you need to be a fair person and never harm someone). Furthermore, all politicians needs to have a more ethical behavior (particularly, the Brazilians ones), and in order to this happen, they all should only be allowed to occupy such positions in society with a high school diploma at hands - and, of course, ethics shall be a compulsory subject in all high schools . As a consequence, the great number of corruption and political scandals would [likely] be reduced. To sum up, in all different contexts of the daily life, for everyone, ethics serves as the decisive balance between right and wrong, good and evil.
Portuguese is important for the language comprehention and is the basic demanded in most high positions at labor market; math is relevant because of the logical thinking stemming from it; ethics hold a key place inside contemporary society. The set of these three areas of knowledge provide guidance for the entire life, for persons of all ages, in anyplace. Nelson Mandela already said: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world".

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Ethic should be learned by all students in high school. Ethic is essential for a good conviviality. People, in fact, makes decisions in a variety of ways in the daily life (in the way home, in work). All politics need to have a good ethic knowledge. The great number of corruption and political scandals in Brazil would be reduced with Ethic. In all different contexts of our daily life, Ethic is the main balance of good and evil.

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All students in high school needs to learn and have a concrete basis about Ethic. This subject is essential for a good conviviality in society and, in fact, one makes decisions in a variety of ways in the daily life (e. g., in the way home, in the job). Furthermore, all politicians need to have a more ethic behavior (particularly, the Brazilians ones). Therefore, the great number of corruption and political scandals would be reduced. To sum up, in all different contexts of our daily life, for each one of us, Ethic serves as the decisive balance between right and wrong, good and evil.

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In a so distant place, forgoted by time and space (for this reason, the residents did not have mobiles, electricity, hot water and TV) a young guy arrived. He was walking around the curious place and got lost. Therefore, the locals tought that this mysterious man could be a god sign - they asked for a man to marry with their crazy princess. As the locals were so bored for having nothing to do, they did not mind their own business; actually, they would comment about the princess life (she was not crazy at all). The guy meets the princess and, as the time passes, they became a strong couple, that found the way to work for a better community. Finally, they changed fate and named the unamed place: United Kingdom.

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Math is the most important subject at the High School for a number of reasons. Many disciplines at university requires previous knowledge in Math. In the Business School, disciplines like Statistic do require a good knowledge in Math. Various works are related with Math. Engineers, business men and others are example of works based in a "know-how" in Math. So, all students do need Math.

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A good comprehention in Portuguese is important for students at High School. The text comprehention takes an important role in the life of a person. The exam that defines if a student will or not be part of the university has many text comprehention questions. A good knowledge in in Portuguese is needed in the professional life. A newly graduated needs to know how to make a good Curriculum. Portuguese is a subject that will be needed in all life stages.

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Math is the most important subject at the college for a number of reasons. Indeed, many disciplines at university requires a solid previous knowledge in it. For example, in the Business School, subjects like Statistic and Financial Mathematics do require a background in Math. In addition, various works are related in one form or another with it, like engineering, administration, programming and so many others. On the other hand, even someone that never will work with something related to Math, still will need the reasoning that comes with it, such as a football player: he needs to think as fast as possible and make his move. In short, all students should learn math.

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A paragraph about Portuguese (CORRECTED)

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A paragraph about Portuguese (CORRECTED)

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A good understanding of Portuguese is essential for students. Text comprehension represents a major role in the academic life. For instance, the exam that defines if a student will become part of the university requires the answer of many reading and text comprehension questions. Also, being acquainted and skilled with the language is necessary in the professional life, as a newly graduated needs to know how to write a good CV. Thus, a good worker uses accurate writing and speech in the job, demonstrating clearly his ideas. All this said, it is easy to claim that Portuguese will be needed in all life stages.

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Open in Word to read my comments =)

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A good understanding of Portuguese is essential for students. Text comprehension takes a major role in the academic life. For instance, the exam that defines if a student will make part of the university requires the answer of many reading and text comprehension questions. Also, a good skill in the language is needed in the professional life, as a newly graduated needs to know how to make a good CV. Thus, a good worker utilizes accurate writing and speech in the job, demonstrating clearly his ideas. All this said, it's easy to claim that Portuguese will be needed in all life stages.

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"5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT" FEEDBACK

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"5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT" FEEDBACK

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Open in Word to read my comments =)

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5 things you didn't know about Ancient Egypt 

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5 things you didn't know about Ancient Egypt 

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1 - They did not ride camels
Camels were not used until the very end of the dynastic age. Instead, they used donkeys to go around and transport materials.

2 - Men and women had equal rights
In Egypt, people of both sex received the same treatment by the law and had an equal social status.

3 - Few Egyptian men married their sisters
Some kings married their very own sisters, who were trained for her duties from birth (and must kept untouched by other men until this incestuous relation was formalized). One of the most popular theories is that they would do this for restricting the number of potential claimants for the throne.

4 - The Great Pyramid was not built by slaves
Counteracting the popular theory, archaeological evidence indicates that a group of 25,000 salaried employees took part in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza.

5 - Egyptians kept many animals as pets
The Egyptians saw animals as incarnation of the gods and were one of the first civilizations to keep household pets. They were fond with cats, associated with the godess Bastet, but also had hawks, ibisis, dogs, lions and baboons.

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Open in Word to read my comments =)

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I consider myself as being a very different person from the others, in general. I don't like to go to pubs or parties, because I feel completely out of place in there. Instead, I like to stay at home with my mother and Alex, my dog. To entertain myself, I play video-games, watch films (mostly, horror and fiction) and go to the woodlands appreciate the beautiful nature (and have a picnic). By the way, it was by playing video-games that I have acquired most part of my knowledge in English. Currently I am studying Business at UFPR, and dreaming to have a comfortable life!