If students are thinking about turning off their Playstation and turning to Internet brain games, maybe they should think again.
Recently, there has been a debate regarding whether these mind-bending games actually do improve cognitive ability.
High school psychology teacher Jan Podhorez doubts the hype.
"It's just funny to me," Podhorez said. "Sure the games are fun, but they will not make a difference in your I.Q., if that's what people believe."
An alumnae of University of Tennessee, Podhorez thinks the games can be fun, especially for bored high students, but said it won't get them an A in her class.
"I sometimes catch kids in my class playing those games on their iPhones, and they try to get out of trouble by telling me they're learning," Podhorez said.
Podhorez does consider the chance that there may be some positive aspect of the games, though.
"The truth is those games are addictive, and the only people I can really imagine them having a positive impact on is kids with ADD and ADHD," Podhorez said. "Honestly, I see it as more of a focus tool than anything else."
A recent study conducted by the BBC busted the brain teaser theory in a segment called "Bang Goes the Theory."
The study involved more than 11,000 people. All volunteers were tested using the same brain game software and were told to play the games 10 minutes a day at least three times a week.
The brain games were created by professionals from the Medical Research Council and the Alzheimer's Society.
Many of the games produced by the research council and Alzheimer's Society are ones that can be found easily online.
The study conducted compared people who had been practicing the games up to three times a week to people like Podhorez, who don't play brain games at all.
Once the six week trial had ended, researchers found no intellectual advances in the gamers compared to the non-gamers.
Experts found the only difference between the two groups were the gamers improvement at the games they were playing.
There was no evidence supporting theories claiming the intellectual advantages from these brain teasers.
"Those brain games can sometimes be useful," said Franco Watkins, psychology professor. "Anything that gets you thinking and problem solving is useful, but it won't increase brain power."
Lydia Townsend, sophomore in communication major, is big into thinking games and loves using her iPhone applications to get her going in the morning.
Townsend's favorite game is the "Impossible Test."
"I'm addicted," Townsend said. "I truly think that it gets my brain turned on in the morning. It gets you thinking outside the box."
Watkins said the most important thing is to constantly challenge the mind, as she is working on three cognitive research projects herself.
"Things like cross-word puzzles can help you," Watkins said. "As long as you're constantly challenging your mind there will be benefits, but it won't necessarily build your intellect."
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