How To Use Gameplay To Enhance Classroom Learning?

When I was a kid, I loved going to school. Meeting my friends every day, talking to them, and going to lunch together was pretty exciting.

Oh, did I forget?

Playing football with everyone after 4:00 PM at the playground was something I waited for longingly throughout the whole day.

However, there was something I truly hated while I was in school – staying in the classroom. Just for the record, I still don’t like it.

Yes, yes, I know what you’ll say;

“you should’ve been studying more,”

“you are sending the wrong message to the youth community,” etcetera, etcetera.

Am I, though?

If you think about it closely, the traditional way of learning is boring. You know, like, your teacher comes to the classroom, wearing the same shirt daily, and starts reading out from his note. There’s no space for implementing whatever you have learned into something.

So…

What’s the point?

Now, think of another scenario. Your teacher comes to the room and tells you that you will be playing a game for today’s learning session.

How excited will you be?

Yes, that’s what I’m pointing at. In this article, I’ll share some tips that I tend to utilize to help my students learn my subject more proactively.

However, before I begin, I generally download games from The Pirate Bay, as they are free. It’s a torrent website, so just make sure to use a VPN before opening it, and you’ll be fine!

How Should You Integrate Games In Your Classroom?

Honestly, you cannot be headstrong when you are planning to implement a gaming session in your classroom. There should be a plan and a proper one at that.

The games you’re thinking about selecting should be –

Motivational And Engaging

When choosing a game, the first aspect that you need to notice is whether it’s engaging or not. If your students aren’t having fun, they’re sure as hell won’t enjoy your classroom.

Also, while keeping the “exciting” part intact, you will need to focus on making the game a little motivational. It, in turn, will help them learn more about the lesson and be… well, “motivated” to engross more in their study.

Focusing On Your Student’s Skillset

Your classroom should be the epitome of improving your student’s core skillsets. To do that, you can try curating games that can –

• Boost their problem-solving skills.
• Enhance social and thinking capabilities.

Besides, I will also ask you to go for a game that can be played through teamsmanship. It will help them improve their social skills even more.

All-Round Participation

When I choose a game for my student squad, I tend to find something that’ll require all-around participation.

This way, I can engage my whole classroom and make the learning process even easier. Remember, if a game does not require the involvement of at least ten students, it should not be played at all.

Which Skills Should You Target?

Now!

Now, only integrating a participable game would not be enough for your cause. Aside from that, you will also have to target a few skills of your students too. Here’s what you need to know about them.

• You can hand the design of a game to your students and let their creativity shine through it. If they want, they can also create the same from scratch, including the pieces, board, cards, etc. The bonus? They get to play whatever they’ve developed!
• While playing an RPG, team-based game, like “Divinity” Original Sin II,” your pupils will learn how to have each other’s back. Besides, they can improve their interaction and communication skills to some extent while playing.
• A strategy game will help your students to use their heads and try to get through the game through their intelligence. It, in turn, can help them enhance their cognitive skills and improve their overall focus as well.

Recommended Games

Worrying about what you should play with your students in the classroom? Well, it’s pretty natural to think about it, I know. I felt the same when I was on the same note as you.

However, I did some research, and after a few trials and errors, here’s what I have found to be the best for the business.

• Board Games: Scrabble, Guess Who?, Apples To Apples, Balderdash, Scattergories, Taboo, Clue, Catch Phrase, etc.
• Computer Games: Minecraft and SimCity.
• Online Games: PBS Kids Games, Funbrain, National Geographic Kids.

The Bottom Line

I feel like I have talked about what I think about the whole study system too much. So, now, I want you to share your ideas as well. Make sure to comment them down below, and I’ll respond to you as soon as I can.

So, till we meet again, have a great day ahead!