As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t help but get excited about Game-Based Learning. You’re probably wondering, “What’s got Mike so hyped up?” Well, I recently watched the Super Mario Brothers movie and I’m eagerly waiting for the Dungeon and Dragons (D&D) movie to be available to rent. (Movies can be pricey, you know!) I’ve already seen the Mario movie twice with my kids and we loved it!

Speaking of D&D, I think it’s a great way to start the conversation about Game-Based Learning. We talked about Gamification in one of our recent blog posts, but now it’s time to dive into Game-Based Learning. During my research, I discovered that there’s a lot of confusion surrounding the topic, with many articles using the terms interchangeably. So, in this blog post, we’re going to clear up the confusion and separate the facts from fiction about Game-Based Learning and how you can apply it to your classroom.

Before we jump into the post, you might be wondering what D&D is? Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game. It involves creating characters and embarking on adventures in a world of magic, monsters, and heroes. It’s a popular game that has been around since the 1970s and has inspired many other tabletop and video games. There are a few TV shows that depict D&D. If you want to see a funny take on D&D then I suggest watching one of my favorite comedies Community episode 2.14 or episode 5.10 (they did two episodes using D&D… actually if you watch any show where Dan Harmon was the writer, they did at least one episode that uses it as a plot device) or The IT Crowd. Both shows use D&D to move the plot of the show forward. If absurdist comedy is not your forte then I suggest watching Freaks and Geeks or Stranger Things (which uses D&D throughout the entire run of the show), since they are both a bit more serious.

What is Game Based Learning?

Over the past number of years, we have seen the acceptance of game-based learning into classrooms, and it is slowly changing the way students learn, making education fun and interactive. When I was a student the only educational games available were Oregon Trail and Reader Rabbit. When it comes to game-based learning, we refer to the use of games to teach concepts, increase motivation, engagement, and improve learning outcomes.

Benefits of Game-Based Learning

There are so many benefits to game-based learning for students and even teachers. Throughout my research I have found various benefits and I’ve narrowed it down to just a few of them.

• Active Learning: In game-based learning, students learn by playing games designed to teach specific skills or concepts. These games require the player to be actively participating which leads to active participation (Haha I used the same phrase twice in a row) in the learning process. This makes game-based learning an ideal platform for active learning. Active learning through games can encourage students to either work in groups or individually to solve problems, make decisions, and explore concepts.
• Growth Mindset/Immediate Feedback: Growth mindset is something that we always discuss we want to get students to. Games give the player instant feedback on their progress. Students can see the consequences of their actions in the games, and they can learn from them in real-time. This feedback can be especially valuable in helping students develop a growth mindset, as they learn to see mistakes as opportunities for learning and improvement.
• Increased Motivation: Games can provide students with an engaging learning experience which ultimately leads to increased motivation. The main reason that game-based learning increases motivation is because games are designed to be fun and enjoyable. When you are having fun, you are more likely to be engaged and learn more.

When you are actively playing games, you need to be paying attention and focused on the task at hand. Who doesn’t love earning badges and prizes! The challenges and rewards presented in games can help students develop a sense of achievement and accomplishment, which fuels their motivation to continue learning and taking part in the game.

Applications of Game-Based Learning

As you can see, there are many great benefits to using games in the classroom. This begs the question; how can this be applied to the subjects you may teach? Let’s look at ways you can generally apply game-based learning in the classroom.

• Science: Using educational games that focus on different aspects of science, such as properties of matter, the human body, and the environment. These games can be designed to simulate real-life scenarios, allowing students to explore and experiment with various concepts in a safe environment. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can be used to create immersive learning experiences that allow students to explore different scientific concepts more interactively.
• Mathematics: Incorporating educational games into your math class that focus on specific concepts. A couple of examples that come to mind include, games that feature fractions, geometry games that help students understand spatial relationships and geometric shapes, or algebra games that teach students about equations and variables. VR can also be used to teach students about 3D geometry by allowing them to interact with and manipulate 3D shapes.
• Language Arts: There are many online games that teach students about grammar rules, such as sentence structure and parts of speech, in fun and interactive ways. Similarly, vocabulary games can help students learn new words and their meanings, while reading comprehension games can help students understand and analyze written texts.
• Social Studies: Many of us who are in our 30s, 40s, and 50s may remember classic educational games such as Oregon Trail. Today’s classrooms have access to a much wider range of educational games that can help engage and motivate students in their learning. I love the idea of using VR for social studies. VR can be used to take students on virtual tours of historical landmarks or to immerse them in the culture and daily life of people from different regions of the world. Similarly, AR can be used to overlay historical images and information onto real-world locations, making it easier for students to visualize and contextualize different historical events.

Best Game-Based Learning Tools

Integrating game-based learning tools into the classroom can be a powerful way to engage students and enhance their learning experience. With a vast array of tools available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. To simplify the process, here are some of the best game-based learning tools available for your classroom. Instead of giving you my brief description of each one, I am going to link to each tool so you can form your own thoughts and opinions on them. Just wait until you are done reading this post though. Let me know in the comments below if I didn’t mention your favorite.

• Nearpod
• Blooket
• Kahoot!
• Minecraft
• Quizlet
• Duolingo
• Code.org

Criticisms of Game-Based Learning

While game-based learning has several benefits, it also has some criticisms. Here are some of the most common criticisms that I found and included ways to overcome them:

• Lack of Transferability: In a lot of the research I have done for this post, one critique that I kept finding was this idea that the skills and knowledge gained through games is not easily transferable and lacks real world application. Critics argue that games are often designed to be fun and engaging but may not reflect the complexity of the real world and the problems that may arise. The easiest way to overcome this criticism is to make sure you are choosing high quality games to use in the classroom.
• Access and Equity: Another criticism that arose in my research is that many games may not be accessible to all students, particularly those who do not have access to technology or districts that lack the ability to fund having the games in the classroom. The games and game-based activities I mentioned above require technology and resources. This can perpetuate existing inequalities in education and limit the benefits of game-based learning for all students. Programs like Go Fund Me are great ways to overcome this obstacle and give all students the opportunity to have access to high quality game-based learning activities.
• Lack of Rigor: A lesser argument I ran across states that game-based learning is not rigorous enough and does not prepare students for the challenges of the real world. To put it bluntly, I think there is a clear lack of understanding when it comes to quality game-based learning from those who criticize the practice. To overcome this criticism, teachers can ensure that the games are aligned with the curriculum and that the learning objectives that correspond with that game are clearly defined. Games should be used as a supplement to traditional teaching methods rather than a replacement.
• Distraction: The last criticism that I want to point out is that there are some people who believe games can be a distraction and may take away instructional time. Like the last point, I think that it is a lack of understanding of the game process which leads to critiques like this. The best way to overcome this issue is to educate those who are observing you to the value and purpose of game-based learning and how it’s a supplement to traditional teaching methods and ensure that games are high quality, objective driven and used for specific learning objectives.

To End the Game

If you couldn’t tell from above, I believe that game-based learning has several benefits for students and teachers. To use game-based learning, though, it must be done in a thoughtful, methodical manner that considers your classroom’s needs.

Game-based learning is a promising approach to improve student outcomes that quite frankly, are fun, engaging, and effective. Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on Game Based Learning and how you are using it in the classroom! I’ll see you on the board or screen next time. Check out my Wakelet below for more ideas and information on Game-Based Learning.