Improving Executive Functions with Games and Technology – 2019

Executive-functioning skills such as organization, flexibility, planning, and time management are crucial for success at school and in many 21st century jobs. Improving executive functions via traditional methods of training and support often does not engage either kids or adults. But what if we could use popular video games and apps to practice and support weak executive function skills? It is important to first identify the best popular video games and apps as teaching tools. However, technology alone is not enough. This discussion will provide clear and pragmatic strategies for generalizing skills and making game-based learning into real-world skills.

About Randy Kulman, Ph.D.

Randy Kulman, Ph.D. is the Founder and President of LearningWorks for Kids, an educational technology company that specializes in using video games to teach executive-functioning and academic skills. For the past 30 years, Dr. Kulman has also been the Clinical Director and President of South County Child and Family Consultants, a private practice that specializes in assessment of children with learning disorders and attention difficulties. Additionally, Dr. Kulman is the author of numerous essays and book chapters on the use of digital technologies for improving executive functioning skills in children. His current research projects include the development of a parent and teacher scale for assessing executive-functioning skills in children and a large survey study examining how children with ADHD and Autism use popular video games and apps. He is an advisor and occasional writer for ADDitude Magazine, Commonsensemedia.org, and Toca Boca. He is the author of two books: Train Your Brain for Success: A Teenager’s Guide to Executive Functions and Playing Smarter in a Digital World.