What is game-based learning?

Game-based learning describes an approach to teaching, where students explore a relevant aspect of games in a learning context designed by teachers.

Teachers and students collaborate in order to add depth and perspective to the experience of playing the game.

The history of teaching with games

Games have been used as a learning tool for centuries. Chess was used to teach strategic thinking as far back as the Middle Ages, and the game of Kreigsspiel was invented in 1812 specifically to teach Prussian officers strategy.

Beyond military strategy, the genesis of Kindergarten in the mid-1800s was Friedrich Fröbel’s ideas of learning through play.

Active learning

Game-based learning takes this same concept and applies it to teaching a curriculum.

Students work toward a goal, choosing actions and experiencing the consequences of those actions. They actively learn and practice the right way to do things.

The result is active learning instead of passive learning.

The benefits of playing games in the classroom.

Playing games in the classroom increases overall motivation. By playing games, students become more motivated to learn, pay attention and participate in set tasks.

Games help students to become a part of a team as well as take responsibility for their own learning.

They can also be a great classroom management tool, helping to motivate a class.

– Students can become very competitive in the classroom, especially boys. Games are a great way to control the competitiveness between peers.

– Using games in a lesson as part of teaching and learning helps to create positivity around the lesson, motivating students with their participation and creating a positive attitude towards learning.

– Playing games requires students to pay great attention to detail. As games can move quickly, when playing a game, a student needs to be alert and attentive.

– Playing a range of content-specific games can increase memory! As they play a game, students need to remember important details about a topic but also use their working memory to think and act quickly.

And now

Let’s play!