Numeracy improvements thanks to the good doctor

BBC News reports that the numeracy and concentration skills of a class of primary school children have increased ‘dramatically’ due to playing Dr Kawashima’s More Brain Training on the Nintendo DS. The pupils played for 15 minutes before lessons every day for 10 weeks and their progress was measured against a similar group.

Although, of course, the Hawthorne effect could said to be at work here, I think there’s probably more to it than that. I have regular sessions with Dr Kawashima, as evidenced by my Life in a Day video – and it really does sharpen you up! 😀