Game-Based Learning Explained

Game-based learning is an increasingly popular trend implemented in many settings including work training, education, and social media. For these reasons, even if you’re not aware of what game-based learning fundamentally is, chances are you’ve been exposed to it. But, is it really that effective? That’s exactly what we cover in this article. 

We’ll break down the concept of game-based learning and evaluate its effectiveness in academic settings. Furthermore, we’ll share examples and specific applications in academic libraries and high schools (where it’s most popular) and use science-backed findings to show how your students can benefit from this approach. All you have to do is keep reading!

What Is Game-Based Learning?

As the name suggests, game-based learning refers to the process of borrowing game narratives and applying them in educational settings. But, it’s definitely not the standard usage of games in the classroom, which is the first and most common misconception when discussing game-based learning. 

In contrast to creating typical games for students to play in the classroom, game-based learning is a process that involves designing specific learning opportunities that use a game-like environment, playful interaction, simulating experiences, or other incentives to motivate students and provide a unique learning experience. This approach allows students to interact with educational topics in a new, playful, and active way.

Game-Based Learning vs. Gamification

Before we get into the specifics of game-based learning in education with specific examples, applications, and tips for implementation, we should address one more popular learning approach – gamification. 

While these and similar terms are sometimes being used interchangeably, game-based learning and gamification are fundamentally different!

As we’ve discussed, game-based learning is an educational or instructional approach that uses a game-like environment, narratives, and other game aspects to teach on a specific topic. To make it more clear, a good example of game-based learning would be creating a virtual market where students can trade, buy, or sell specific items in order to learn arithmetic operations (math class) or business principles (business class). 

On the other hand, gamification is based on conventional educational materials with the addition of game principles, such as point systems, badges, milestones, rewards, quizzes, leaderboards, and feedback loops to teach a specific skill, topic, or some other learning goal. It’s powerful in a way that makes the learning process both engaging and fun. A good example of gamification in the classroom would be the use of a badge system in a subject such as physics, chemistry, science, etc. In physics class, kids can gather points for every homework or additional assignment they do and gain badges – “Ptolemy,” “Galileo,” “Einstein,” and so on. 

Game-Based Techniques in Social Media

For a long time now, way before the concepts of game-based learning and gamification became a thing, social media has been using game-based techniques to motivate and engage users on their platforms. The classic game-based technique that defines social media is the use of likes and comments as incentives. They’re equivalent to points or rewards in games that indicate the achievement or status of an individual. 

Another very common game-based technique is the use of milestones or badges that users get when they behave in a certain way. 

We might even argue that the use of game-based techniques on social media made them addictive for children and teenagers, but also adults. It seems like no one is an exception, which speaks volumes about the effectiveness of using game-based principles in other settings.

How would this work for education? Let’s find out. 

Applications of Game-Based Learning in Academic Context

The most basic example of game-based learning in education is the use of game-like educational applications such as Kahoot! 

Kahoot! (if you haven’t heard of it yet) is a game-based learning platform used by schools and other educational institutions. It features teacher or peer-designed quizzes that can be played in groups of up to 30 students, in the free version at least. Each student gets points for answering correctly, and, in the end, the three best-performing participants are displayed on a podium with a simulated ceremony. Best of all, the platform allows students to see their performance rating and practice by focusing on their weak sides.

Kahoot is just one example, but there are myriad ways in which teachers use game-based learning in the classroom. 

Another example is the use of role-playing, which allows students to immediately apply their knowledge in practice and receive feedback on their performance. Playing the role of a salesman who tries to convince a person (classmate) to buy something from them is a frequently used role-playing technique in business or economy classes.

Usually, high schools and specialized training use game-based learning the most, but with a little creativity, game-based learning can be adjusted for middle and even elementary school. 

Popular Online Applications and Game-Based Learning Platforms: 

• Quizizz: Fun Multiplayer Classroom Quizzes
• Kahoot! Make Learning Awesome!
• Quizlet: Simple tools that let you study anything for free.
• Quizalize: Fun games to play in class or as homework.

Benefits of Game-Based Learnings

Now that you have a clearer idea of what game-based learning is and how it’s implemented in education, we should weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this approach. Considering everything we’ve said so far, we identified 6 benefits to game-based learning. 

First, game-based learning is one of the most effective ways to motivate students to be more active and involved in school. This is because introducing friendly competition and practical game-like activities gives the students an opportunity to test their skills, receive direct feedback from their peers, and have a lot of fun!

Second, game-based learning helps kids with digital literacy. By engaging in online learning platforms, kids learn how to use technology in a useful way. They gain valuable computer skills and become comfortable learning online, which is important for their future. 

Third, game-based learning platforms promote strategic thinking and develop problem-solving skills. During realistic simulations, role-playing, or learning platforms, kids will have to react quickly, find the best solutions to a problem, and overcome obstacles. All this promotes their logical thinking, accuracy, thinking outside the box, and being pragmatic. 

Fourth, the game-based learning approach is especially beneficial for students with learning or attentional disorders such as ADHD. This is because games are dynamic, unpredictable, exciting, and don’t require kids to sit tight in one place and listen for long periods of time.  

The fifth benefit is skill-building. By taking active participation in the games, kids develop practical and valuable skills that are applicable in everyday life and work, in contrast to building up mainly theoretical knowledge from conventional methods. 

Finally, the sixth benefit of this approach is the social-emotional component. By playing games with their classmates, students will work on their social and emotional skills, improve their social relationships, and develop “soft” skills such as communication, negotiation, team-building skills, and more. 

Potential Hurdles to Game-Based Learning

While there’s no doubt that game-based learning comes with a lot of benefits, there are also some challenges and considerations you need to take into account before deciding to transform your teaching approach. In addition, being aware of the challenges will help you identify for which students and when game-based learning is a good learning opportunity. 

One of the first challenges to game-based learning is the potentially hard process of matching an engaging game design with learning objectives and curriculum. Not always you’ll be able to find a game that fits your learning objectives, and this can be frustrating. 

The character of the student is another potential challenge. Not everyone will be excited and comfortable in a game-based learning atmosphere. Kids who are shy, more introverted, might simply benefit more from a different approach. 

What’s more, parents are another source of trouble when you plan to change the traditional way of teaching and focus on game-based learning. You should be aware that some parents might not understand or like this innovative approach. For many, gaming is not associated with learning.

Finally, designing games that fit well with the learning objectives of the curriculum can be a hard task, especially if you don’t have any previous experience with game design. This doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t take on the challenge, it just means that you’ll have to invest time and effort to make it work. 

How to Create Game-Based Learning?

Don’t let this last paragraph scare you off. Transforming the traditional learning experience with game-based learning can be a smooth and easy process. Remember that game-based learning consists of role playing, simulating realities, using online learning platforms, and actual games? With this in mind, how can you re-organize lectures, homework, and other classroom activities? 

To help you out, here’s a simple, step-by-step guide on how to implement game-based learning in the classroom. Keep in mind that this is just a general guideline that you should use as inspiration, not a strict instruction manual. 

Step 1: Determine the purpose of the game. It’s best to start by defining the learning objective that you want kids to achieve through the game. This will help you narrow the search and quickly find a suitable game.  

Step 2: Play the game yourself (if applicable). When choosing an online learning platform or a game to introduce in the classroom, make sure it fits the learning objectives by first trying it yourself and experiencing it from the kids’ perspective. 

Step 3: Make a schedule! Engaging in game-based activities every once in a while won’t do much for building skills. If you want to make a difference and see results, make a schedule and dedicate specific times during class for games. 

Step 4: Develop an evaluation plan. Games are implemented in education because they can teach kids valuable skills. However, the only way to know whether they’re effective is to find a way to measure and follow the progress of the students. 

Step 5: Consult with parents. In order to avoid conflicts and headaches down the road, it is best to inform the parents of your plan to implement game-based learning. Provide them with insightful information, the benefits, the process, and the expected outcomes, so they feel confident in the method. 

Conclusion: Is Game-Based Learning the Right Approach for You?

Game-based learning is just one of the many different approaches or methods you can implement in your teaching practices. We’ve already seen what makes it special and what might be the challenges associated with it. Based on everything, our final conclusion is that game-based learning is a promising approach that might better fit our technology-driven society today. 

Having said that, we don’t believe that this is the best method for every school, subject, or every student. It’s definitely worth trying it out, but keep in mind that, at the end of the day, the group dynamic of the class might prefer another method over this one. 

Furthermore, we should note that game-based learning can be successfully implemented in specific circumstances, for students with attentional deficits, for special topics, or in combination with other methods as well. We don’t advise completely replacing traditional teaching practices for a game-based learning platform. 

Before You Go

In a world where every year we have a new learning trend, including brain-based learning, gamification, social-emotional learning, and many other approaches, it becomes excruciatingly hard to keep up. What’s really worth your time? What are the benefits and drawbacks of each approach? It’s important to stay informed so you can optimize the learning experience of your students, which is why we’re here! With our easy-to-read guides, we hope to save you time and help you find the solution that works best for you. 

While we’re on the topic of being helpful, let us remind you to visit our website and browse through our massive library of interactive worksheets and other useful teaching resources for all teachers and homeschooling parents. 
Finally, if you liked this article, we kindly invite you to check out our blog and see what else we have written! Over the years, we’ve shared a lot of guides, tips, and educational activities that you’ll surely appreciate! Plus, if you want to stay in touch, subscribe to our newsletter and receive notifications for our future releases!