What is Game-Based Learning?

 

New ideas and concepts

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Every year, teachers must face new terms, ideas, and concepts that pop up as if they were the only definitive solution to all the problems in education. The truth is education is not a problem to solve, and there is not anyone or a unique solution that will improve the teaching-learning process entirely.

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The key is to diversify, to try out different solutions, and to analyze the results.

 

Incorporate games in education

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One method that can be easily used in the classroom is Game-Based Learning (GBL).

The results of using this teaching strategy have proven that incorporating games is highly effective because they can facilitate and encourage student motivation (without a doubt, keeping students motivated is one of the main problems that teachers must confront in the classroom).

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Basically, GBL is a strategy that uses the idea of a playing game to reach specific learning objectives, whether they belong to knowledge, skills, or attitudes.

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In a history class, for example, students can recreate a medieval environment, write a dialog between characters, and act out some scenes according to medieval behaviors following the rules of a game.

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Game-Based Learning vs Gamification

 

GBL is often confused with Gamification, a term that is often heard in school environments. EdTechReview defines gamification as “the application of game elements and digital game design techniques to non-game problems, such as business (growing in education technology) and social impact challenges.” So-called “game elements” can be points, achievements, badges, and leaderboards. Basically, they are used as extrinsic motivational tools in traditional classroom activities.

 

The line between GBL and gamification is sometimes very thin; the elements of gamification are normally present in a GBL activity, not vice versa.

 

GBL usually includes a game-like environment and practice of the learning content through activities like theatre and role play. In GBL, the learning process comes as a result of playing the game. Gamification, instead, is about inserting some elements of a game into traditional activities.

 

One great example to quote would be using gamification systems like Classcraft in classrooms. A classroom is re-imagined using technology, games and storytelling in a way that adds fun and interaction to the curriculum. Students create a character, play as part of a team and are rewarded with points and experience. They are judged on factors like teamwork, uniqueness and many other life skills.

 

Game-Based learning is the use of games to achieve educational goals. For example, the game Sudoku that forces kids to apply their minds to solve complex problems. It is also proven to sharpen the memory of kids and improve their abstract learning. At the same time, it teaches kids many life skills like patience, focus and decision-making skills. All of these factors lead to improved and quality learning.

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Why we need more games

 

In many societies these days, people feel the need to prepare younger generations to adapt to different and fast-changing environments. In the past, knowledge of hard skills such as obtaining degrees or certificates was a guarantee for a job. Today, hard skills are still important, but they are not sufficient enough.  For this reason, soft skills such as being able to communicate, engage in teamwork, and respect time management is also necessary. A school that completely overlooks soft skills is a school that is not educating its students to be happy and successful in their lives.

 

This is not the place to dig deeper into concepts like soft skills and emotional intelligence but it can be said that in having interpersonal skills in empathy, listening, decision making, critical thinking and other aspects are more and more required in contemporary society and should be at the center of the curriculum in our schools. If you’re wondering how these soft skills can be learned and practiced, GBL is one of the answers. 

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What are the advantages of implementing the game in the classroom?

 

01 – Motivation

We could say that if students were always motivated, teachers’ problems would disappear. Motivation is the key to good teaching and learning flow in the classroom. For this reason, game based learning is very effective, as games are naturally motivating and engaging. Moreover, games provide something that can be described as “far from a traditional lesson” and they often include competition among students; which can raise the level of motivation in a classroom. Teachers can decide on the type of competition and create supportive teams to lower the level of stress among students.

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02 – Inclusion

Playing can challenge students and force them to step out of their comfort zone. For this reason, sometimes it can happen that some students don’t want to play certain roles. If this is the case, the teacher should not force those who do not want to play them. Fortunately, a GBL activity, whether it is complex or not, is made of different parts and different characters.

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03 – Student centered

Games are naturally student-centered and students should be involved in the preparation of the game.  If they are engaged and interested, they will accomplish tasks more willingly than with traditional activities. Usually, when teachers set up the goals and the rules, most students will work without any further explanation and teachers can monitor and assist their students.

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04 – Critical thinking and decision making

These are two skills that can be practiced and learned especially when engaging in role play. When students are assigned to play specific characters in certain environments, they have to decide, on the spot, what to do in order to reach the goal.

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05 – Group work

It is not difficult to understand why a game is highly suitable for team and group work. Unity is strength and everyone loses or wins when they play a game together.

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06 – Creativity

Games are effective tools for fostering creativity, especially if students are involved in the construction of the game. Imagination has no limits. Teachers can leave opportunities inside of a game where students can fill in the blanks with their own solutions and ideas.

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The following image explains the difference between gamification and game-based learning

 

Link: https://www.upsidelearning.com/infographics/games-vs-game-based-learning-vs-gamification/