Did you know that almost any game can be a learning game? Whether it’s Tetris, Checkers, or even Monopoly, games can teach us something. However, not all games are suitable for school, like Grand Theft Auto. But even those can have some learning value if we think of them as experiences, like going on a field trip, rather than just lessons from a textbook.
So, how can we make games work in the classroom? Start with games that you and your classmates already enjoy. These games are engaging and make you think, which is what makes them great for learning. Remember playing games like Oregon Trail at school? It was fun because it was engaging. If you play a game outside of school, that’s a good sign it’s engaging enough for learning.
Once you find a game you like, it might be tricky to fit it into your lessons. Think of games as experiences. Prepare for them like you would for a field trip or watching a movie. Set the scene, and then explore the game together. If things get a bit chaotic, that’s okay! It can lead to unexpected learning opportunities.
Of course, there are challenges like cost, time, and technology. Luckily, there are many games to choose from, including board games. Find what works best for your classroom. Some games might give students the wrong ideas, but you can use these inaccuracies to spark curiosity. Encourage students to note anything that seems off and compare it with real-life facts. They can even create YouTube-style videos to explain their findings, which is a fun way to learn.
Here are three tips to turn any game into a learning experience:
Pick games that you and your classmates actually want to play. This makes learning more fun and engaging.
Think of games as experiences rather than strict lessons. This approach allows for exploration and discovery.
If a game has inaccuracies, use them to encourage students to ask questions and learn more about the real world.
And here’s a fun bonus: You can even count playing Pokémon as part of your learning journey!
For more great resources, check out Common Sense Education. They offer teaching strategies, reviews of educational technology, lesson plans, and more to help make learning exciting and effective.
Choose a game you enjoy and play it with your classmates. Afterward, create a presentation that analyzes the game’s educational value. Discuss what you learned and how it can be applied to real-life situations. Present your findings to the class.
Work in groups to design a lesson plan that incorporates a game as a learning tool. Think about how the game can be used to teach a specific subject or concept. Present your lesson plan to the class and explain how it makes learning engaging and effective.
Play a game in class and then write a reflection on your experience. Describe what you learned, any challenges you faced, and how the game helped you understand the concepts better. Share your reflections with your classmates and discuss different perspectives.
Identify any inaccuracies or misconceptions in a game you play. Research the real-life facts and create a short video or presentation to explain the differences. This activity will help you develop critical thinking and research skills.
In small groups, design a simple educational game that could be used in the classroom. Focus on making it fun and informative. Once completed, share your game with the class and explain how it can be used to teach a particular topic.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Every game ever made can be a learning game. What about Tetris? Learning game. Checkers? Learning. Monopoly? Not great, but yes. Pull my finger! No! I mean, yes. I mean no to the finger, yes to learning. Even Grand Theft Auto? Learning. Whoa. Unless I want to get fired, GTA is not coming into my classroom. Okay, not all games are school appropriate, but they can still have learning value. You just have to see them as experiences rather than instruction, field trips rather than textbooks.
Okay, but how would I make one of these learning games work in a classroom? First off, start with the games your students or you are already interested in. Stuff that drives deep engagement and thinking. That’s what makes games great. It seems like students love every game. It doesn’t really matter which one. Did you ever play Oregon Trail in school? Yeah, it was a blast. Did you ever play it at home? Point taken. For game-based learning, after-school play is the litmus test for engagement.
Okay, but say I found a cool game. It’s still challenging to make it fit into my curriculum. Treat games like experiences, not instruction. Prepare just like you would for a field trip or film screening. Set some context and then explore together. But what if students go off the beaten path? Play will be messy, but it’ll also bring opportunities for learning. I like that. But let’s get real. What about cost, time, and technology? Games can introduce many practical challenges. Thankfully, there are tons of games out there. And don’t forget about board games. Find what works for you.
Okay. I’m excited, but also a little nervous. You have to admit some games can give kids misconceptions. Use inaccuracies to drive inquiry. As they play, have students keep track of what doesn’t seem right. Later, have them explain how the game’s point of view compares with reality. What about this? To explain what they find, students can create YouTube-style Let’s Play videos with commentary. Awesome idea.
Three tips to make any game into a learning experience: Use the games your students, and you, actually want to play. Treat games as experiences, not instruction. And use inaccuracies to drive students’ inquiry. You left out the best part. What’s that? Now I’m counting Pokémon as professional development.
Looking for more great resources? Head over to Common Sense Education for teaching strategies, ed tech reviews, lesson plans, and more.
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This version removes any informal or potentially inappropriate language while maintaining the core message.
Games – Activities that are structured with rules and objectives, often used in education to make learning fun and interactive. – In our history class, we played educational games that helped us remember important dates and events.
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Learning about different cultures in geography class has broadened my understanding of the world.
Classroom – A room where teaching and learning activities take place, typically in a school setting. – The classroom was filled with colorful posters and charts to help students learn more effectively.
Experiences – Practical contact with and observation of facts or events that enhance understanding and knowledge. – Sharing our experiences from the science fair helped us learn from each other’s projects.
Engaging – Attracting or holding interest or attention, often used to describe teaching methods that captivate students. – The teacher used engaging activities to make the math lesson more interesting and enjoyable.
Curiosity – A strong desire to learn or know more about something, often driving the pursuit of knowledge. – Her curiosity about how plants grow led her to conduct a fascinating experiment in biology class.
Mistakes – Errors or incorrect actions that provide opportunities for learning and improvement. – Making mistakes in our essays taught us valuable lessons on how to improve our writing skills.
Exploration – The act of investigating or studying something in detail to discover more about it. – Our exploration of different ecosystems in science class helped us understand the importance of biodiversity.
Students – Individuals who are enrolled in an educational institution to learn and acquire knowledge. – The students worked together on a group project to solve a complex problem in their physics class.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially in a school or university setting. – Education is essential for developing critical thinking skills and preparing for future challenges.
