There's a lot of game playing going on in the classroom these days, and we think that's pretty awesome! Are you among the 67% of teachers using traditional and digital games in their classrooms?
5 Components to Educational Gameplay
- Learning happens by doing
- Feedback is immediate and ongoing--you'll know what is working, what your students know, and what they need more work on quickly!
- Everyone is a participant--all students, no matter their level, can participate in gameplay, especially with leveled and differentiated games
- Challenge is constant
- It feels like play Because it is!
How to Make Gameplay Successful
According to Robert J. Marzano- While students play, walk around the classroom and observe their interactions, conversations, and how they are coming to conclusions regarding the game. This is a good way for you to assess what students need extra practice on, as well as what you will need to review after game time.
- After gameplay ask students what they found easy and what they struggled with while playing.
- Ask students how they were able to win and to share their strategies. You could even assign this as a writing assignment to further assess their critical thinking skills and knowledge of the subject.
- Have students make up their own game using a game board you already have on-hand or a deck of cards. Asking them to determine rules and strategies will develop their critical thinking skills while reinforcing the subject that is the focus of the game. Then (of course) let them play the game to see how they did with their creation.
