Teaching and learning with games

Teaching and learning with games

Game-based learning is an umbrella term that describes many different ways to use games as a tool for education.

Learning and teaching with games is nothing new. Teachers have been using physical games, board games and card games in a range of subjects for years as a strategy to motivate students.

With digital technologies – including virtual and augmented reality – you can bring even more engaging experiences into the classroom.

Inspire learning

In a 2021 Western Sydney University study on the use of video games in learning, over 80% of teachers agreed game-based learning:

• enhances student motivation and interest in the subject
• helps develop problem-solving and decision-making skills in students.

A research project from Deakin University found 75% of students agreed games could help them to learn in the classroom.

But it's important to remember not all students enjoy games or have the same level of digital literacy. And not all games are appropriate for learning.

The research found in most cases it wasn't the game itself but the ways teachers used games to teach complex concepts that made the biggest difference.

According to teachers who took part in the research, games are:

• an effective way to teach basic skills and complex content
• beneficial as literary texts to teach narrative elements
• useful for developing positive relationship practices
• helpful in developing collaboration and communication skills
• an effective way to teach real-world skills.

Further research

Watch this TED Talk, How video games can level up the way you learn, from 'professor of video games' Dr Kris Alexander of Toronto Metropolitan University.

Games can structure learning

Some forms of game-based learning use game elements as a framework for learning.

Game elements, also known as game mechanics, are ways players interact with a game. While games might look and feel very different from each other, many games share 5 common game mechanics. Teachers who make use of these mechanics can make use of the engaging nature of games to help students learn.

The 5 common game mechanics include:

• Points – where players earn tokens or rewards for succeeding at tasks or challenges
• Progressions– where players proceed from easier to more challenging activities as they show skills
• Unlocks and customisations – where players can spend points to change how they appear in the game
• Goals– where players have a clear understanding of what outcomes they need to achieve and where they're headed
• Leaderboards– where players can compare and celebrate achievement against stated outcomes.

This kind of game-based learning is often called gamification. Visit EdTech magazine to read more about strategies teachers can use to gamify the classroom.

Listen to this podcast in which Claire Seldon, Learning Designer, NSW Department of Education talks about gamification to improve learning so it sticks.

Creating games

Teaching students to create games provides broad and deep learning opportunities.

Teachers can guide students to use Microsoft’s MakeCode Arcade to create a cyber maze.

Students can learn:

• how to code
• core programming and game-development concepts
• to use art and design to construct a cyber maze
• to research digital citizenship and cyber safety.

Gamify your learning with Makecode Arcade video transcript (PDF 185.93KB) (PDF 185.93KB)

Visit Educational Services Australia's Digital Technologies Hub for game-based learning lesson resources. You'll find a variety of links to help you create a game-based learning unit of work for students of all ages.