Serious Gaming

I often find myself attempting to find various ways to engage and educate my students effectively. One approach that has been successful for both myself and my students is the use of Serious Gaming in the classroom. However, when considering whether to incorporate Serious Gaming into my teaching, I was faced with challenges and needed to apply research findings in order to meet the specific needs of my students.

The first challenge is determining the appropriateness of Serious Gaming for my students' age group. While there is lots of research on Serious Gaming, it doesn't always address the specific developmental needs and learning styles of young children at the elementary level. It is crucial to consider the potential impact of Serious Gaming on their cognitive and social-emotional development. I also need to assess whether the game's content aligns with the curriculum and learning objectives.

Availability of Serious Games that align with the needs of my students is another consideration that has to be made. Not all games are created equal, and finding ones that cover the specific topics and skills I want to address can be challenging. I must make sure that the games are engaging, interactive, and designed with educational intent, rather than being purely entertaining. "After all, Serious Games are not replacements for the teacher. The teacher should facilitate the game-based activity and then lead a class discussion on both the content and the overall experience."(Farber, 2014)

Applying research findings to the identified needs of my students is another difficult task. While research may provide insights into the benefits of Serious Gaming, it does not always account for the unique characteristics, abilities, and challenges of my particular group of students. I must consider individual differences in learning styles, academic abilities, and technological access when deciding how and when to integrate gaming into my lessons.

The integration of Serious Gaming requires careful planning and management of classroom resources and time. Student devices and reliable internet access must be available to support the implementation of Serious Gaming. It is essential to balance the use of Serious Gaming with other instructional methods and activities, ensuring that it does not overshadow other important aspects of the curriculum.

Here are a few Serious Gaming sites and apps I have found and will be adding to my gaming toolbox: 

  • Education Galaxy uses game-based learning to boost kids’ academic success. The two main programs are online assessment prep and adaptive intervention for struggling learners and at-risk students. (Restifo, 2021)
  • Arcademics is a K-8 game-based learning site in math, language arts, geography, and other subjects. It includes an educational portal that allows teachers to monitor student progress, generate detailed reports, and assess student learning. (Restifo, 2021)
  • Oodlu allows teachers to create their own games using a built-in question bank, and their analytics provide progress reports for each individual student. Students answer the teacher-created questions in a game-based format. (Restifo, 2021) 

Excessive screen time and the potential for addiction are drawbacks that need to be addressed, especially in today's world where many children are exposed to and have access to an abundance of technology outside of school. It is important to establish clear guidelines and boundaries for technology use, promoting a healthy balance between digital and non-digital activities. 

In navigating these challenges, I aim to make informed decisions by utilizing research, looking for professional development opportunities, and collaborating with my team of teachers and other colleagues in my school and district. I must also consider feedback and input from my students and also their parents, as they play a critical role in shaping the learning environment.

Ultimately, the decision to incorporate Serious Gaming into my classroom involves careful consideration of the specific needs and characteristics of my students, alignment with curriculum goals, availability of age-appropriate games, technology resources available, and the potential benefits and drawbacks. By weighing these factors, my goal is to create a well-rounded and engaging learning experience that meets the diverse needs of my students.


References: 

Farber, M. (2014, February 19). Why serious games are not chocolate-covered broccoli. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/serious-games-not-chocolate-broccoli-matthew-farber

Restifo, D. (2021, October 19). Best sites & apps for K-12 education games. TechLearningMagazine. https://www.techlearning.com/tl-advisor-blog/4684


Comments

  1. LeahJune 28, 2023 at 10:38 PM

    I like that you brought up how students' social emotional development will play a role in what games you choose to use. I can see how there could be a fine line between students becoming competitive and getting too worked up if they get into their "gaming mode". You're right that not all games are created equal, and some of the ones I came across were not even available in English. It seems like the Netherlands has a good handle on Serious Gaming. I agree that typical research about the benefits and potential negative impact of Serious Gaming may not fully address the differences in many of our students. It will take more time to test out a game and determine if it will be helpful to the range of students we have rather than assuming that it will be a good fit for everyone. I'm curious to check out the examples you shared!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather GraysonJune 29, 2023 at 8:27 AM

    Incorporating Serious Gaming in the classroom can be a game-changer for engaging and educating students effectively. You bring up many good points about Serious Gaming! It's essential to consider the appropriateness of the games for your students' age group and whether they align with curriculum goals. Finding suitable games that cover specific topics and skills can be a challenge, but it's worth the effort for an interactive and educational experience. Clear guidelines for technology use and collaboration with colleagues, students, and parents are key to creating a balanced and effective learning environment.

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