Video games could be used as an effective learning tool, a survey of teachers and students has concluded.

The survey, which was commissioned by US games firm Electronic Arts (EA) and carried out by FutureLab, suggests that using games in lessons can be both motivating and engaging.

The report also shows that teachers believe video games can help improve students' computer skills, strategic thinking and problem solving.

Jules Clarkson, international marketing director at EA, said: "EA has recognised for a long time the potential for computer games to stimulate teachers and students.

"The study has shown that commercial computer games have the potential to support education, which has raised the bar for ongoing collaboration between the industry and education sectors.

"We look forward to continued initiatives to help pave the way for meaningful integration of computer games into school curriculum."

Claire Gemmell, St John's School & Community College, Marlborough: "I can definitely see the potential of using games in the classroom."

The study revealed that 59 per cent of teachers wanted to use computer games for educational purposes, while 62 per cent of students wanted to use games in the classroom.

Claire Gemmell, a teacher at St John's School & Community College in Marlborough, said: "I can definitely see the potential of using games in the classroom. It proved to be a great tool for motivating students and engaging their interest.

"I would like to use games for teaching in the future if the technical problems could be addressed."

However, the report also found that 37 per cent of teachers and 22 per cent of students think that computer games should not be used in the classroom.

Seven out of 10 teachers questioned said they believed playing games could lead to anti-social behaviour.

And 30 per cent of students felt that playing games could lead to increased violence and aggression.

According to the poll, a whopping 85 per cent of children play computer games outside of lessons at least once every fortnight.

This compares to just 30 per cent of teachers.

Boys were much more likely to play video games for entertainment than girls.

The report, which was also supported by US software giant Microsoft, highlighted a number of technical obstacles to the integration of games into daily lessons.

These included licensing, copyright protection and support and training.

The results of the survey are based on the responses of nearly 1,000 teachers and over 2,300 primary and secondary school students in Britain.

The article Video games could aid learning originally appeared on 999 Today