by TeachThought Staff
In The Difference Between Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning, we learned the difference between the two.
“Gamification is first and foremost about encouragement mechanics and the system that promotes them, while game-based learning is first and foremost about the game and its cognitive residue (whether from the game’s content, or academic content). One can use the other.”
What do we need to know to teaching through games?
Your First Level: A Guide to Game-Based Learning for K-20 Educators
Video games captivate students in a way few other mediums can.
Their immersive worlds, engaging challenges, and instant feedback loops naturally draw learners in. But for many K-20 educators, the idea of “game-based learning” (GBL) – specifically learning through video games – can feel daunting. Is it just playing games? How do you ensure real learning happens? This guide aims to demystify the process, offering practical steps to integrate video games into your teaching, even if you’re a novice in the gaming world.
1. Define Your Learning Goals First (and Foremost)
The most critical step in game-based learning happens before you even pick a game: clearly defining your learning objectives. GBL is a strategic instructional choice, not just a fun distraction. You must identify the specific curriculum standards, critical thinking skills, or social-emotional learning outcomes you want students to achieve. Ask yourself: What exactly do I want students to know or be able to do after engaging with this game?
- Actionable Tip: Start small. For your first GBL activity, focus on one or two clear learning objectives. Instead of a vague goal like “learn history,” aim for something specific like “analyze cause-and-effect relationships in a historical simulation” or “develop collaborative problem-solving skills.”
2. Choosing the Right Game (Beyond Just “Educational” Labels)
While there are many games marketed as “educational” (like Prodigy), some of the most powerful learning tools are mainstream games. The key isn’t necessarily the “educational” label, but how the game’s mechanics inherently teach the desired skill or content.
- What to Think About:
- Depth & Alignment: Does the game offer enough complexity and replayability to support sustained learning relevant to your goals? Does its core gameplay loop (e.g., resource management, strategic planning, puzzle solving) align with the thinking skills you want to develop?
- Accessibility: Consider controls, text, visuals, and general ease of use for all students, including those with diverse learning needs.
- Actionable Tip: Play the game yourself, or watch extensive gameplay videos. Don’t rely solely on reviews. Ask: “What are the core actions or ‘verbs’ of this game? Do those align with my learning objectives’ verbs?” (TeachThought has other resources with specific game recommendations if you need ideas.)
3. Navigating Logistics & Technology Setup
Smooth game-based learning implementation hinges on careful pre-planning of your tech infrastructure.
- What to Think About:
- Device Access: Do you have a 1:1 device setup, shared carts, or only lab access? This dictates which games are feasible and how you’ll structure the activity.
- Installation & Accounts: How will the game be installed on devices? Will students need individual accounts, and how will you manage these, especially concerning privacy and progress tracking? Determine if a constant internet connection is required for installation or just gameplay.
- Connectivity: If the game requires internet access, is your school’s WiFi robust enough for multiple simultaneous users? Consider using wired connections if possible for greater stability and reduced lag.
- Actionable Tip: Test everything before students arrive. Install the game, create dummy accounts if needed, and verify connectivity. Always have a backup plan (e.g., an alternative analog activity) if technology issues arise.
4. Structuring the Game-Based Lesson (Pre, During, Post)
The true learning in GBL solidifies around the game, not just during play. A structured approach ensures engagement translates to educational outcomes.
- What to Think About:
- Pre-Game: How will you introduce the game’s purpose and connect it to the learning goals? What prior knowledge needs to be activated? Crucially, what are your behavioral and academic expectations for gameplay?
- During Game: Your role shifts from lecturer to facilitator. Circulate, observe student strategies, and ask guiding questions to prompt deeper thinking. Provide differentiated support as needed.
- Post-Game (Crucial!): This is where reflection happens. How will students debrief their experience? How will they connect the game’s mechanics or narrative to the curriculum objectives?
- Actionable Tip: Dedicate as much, if not more, time to pre-game preparation and post-game reflection/discussion as to actual gameplay. This solidifies learning.
5. Managing the Classroom Environment
Game-based learning requires a deliberate approach to classroom management, acknowledging the unique dynamics games introduce.
- What to Think About:
- Clear Expectations: What are the explicit rules for respectful play, screen time boundaries, and maintaining academic focus?
- Transitions: How will you manage the start and end of gameplay efficiently to maintain flow?
- Engagement vs. Distraction: How will you guide students to focus on the learning goals inherent in the game, rather than just in-game achievements?
- Actionable Tip: Co-create rules for game-based learning with your students. Clearly define what “success” looks like beyond simply “winning” in the game, tying it back to your learning objectives.
6. Assessing What Matters (Beyond High Scores)
Assessment in GBL moves beyond traditional tests to capture the breadth of learning that occurs.
- What to Think About:
- Observation: What specific in-game behaviors or interactions indicate students are applying learned concepts or developing skills (e.g., problem-solving strategies, collaboration, resource management)?
- Reflection: Utilize tools like reflection journals, exit tickets, concept maps, or guided debriefing discussions.
- Application: Ask students to apply game-learned concepts to a real-world problem, a written assignment, or a project.
- Actionable Tip: Design your assessment methods before you choose the game, ensuring they directly align with your defined learning goals and can genuinely measure the skills developed through gameplay. Research by scholars like Kebritchi and Hirumi (2008) suggests that well-designed game-based learning can significantly impact student motivation and engagement, which are key precursors to academic achievement. Furthermore, studies indicate that video games can enhance various cognitive skills, including problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking (Green & Bavelier, 2015).
By intentionally integrating these practical considerations into your teaching, you can harness the power of video games to create dynamic, engaging, and genuinely effective learning experiences. Start small, learn from each experience, and enjoy the journey of leveling up your classroom!
Works Cited:
Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2015). The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (and How the Government Can Guide the Industry). Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences,1 2(1), 101-109.
Kebritchi, M., & Hirumi, A. (2008). Examining the effects of a computer game-based learning environment on middle school students’ academic achievement and motivation in mathematics. Instructional Science, 36(2), 53-78.
