Educational Games – Future of Learning

The world is now in the digital revolution age, which impacts daily behaviors, the education sector has not been left behind in this revolution. Boring methods like chalk and talk methods are gradually being replaced by dynamic, fun, and effective approaches to teaching methods- game-based education. Such games, with Blooket being one of the most popular ones, are already changing the way students learn in a class, making it enjoyable and productive at the same time.

The Power of Play: Learning Through Games

Learning games take advantage of play to promote effective and efficient acquisition of information and knowledge. This is because there is an introduction of subject content into the game formats, and this will capture the attention of the students in ways that other teaching and learning approaches might not. Games foster various mental abilities because the procedure is reciprocative in nature, aspects like problem solving, critical thinking, and memory retention are enhanced. Furthermore, these games present a flexible model of learning in which the students can learn at their own rate, get feedback shortly after making a mistake or misjudging an answer, and use the concepts learned in different situations, which makes the knowledge more practical and long-lasting.

Blooket: A Front-Runner in Game-Based Learning

One of the most popular platforms that transformed education is Blooket, a learning system that teachers from all over the world are embracing quickly. Blooket differentiates itself by turning basic quizzes into fun learning missions. Teachers can develop or choose question sets which can then be incorporated into games from racing type versions to treasure type. This is made possible by the fact that Blooket can be used in the classroom with any curriculum depending on the student’s class level and subject area.

Benefits of Educational Games in the Classroom

1. Enhanced Engagement: Games on their own trigger the drive to be curious and committed. It is a well-known fact that a student may not even know that they are learning while being engaged in a gameplay, which in turn increases participation and interest towards the context in the game.
2. Immediate Feedback: In these games, it is essential to correct the students or confirm answers within a short time to facilitate learning especially for students with misconceptions to easily concept develop a growth mindset.
3. Customizable Content: With the help of Blooket, teachers and instructors have a better toolset to filter the content appropriate to their class and try solving the problems of learning variety and teaching speeds.
4. Social Learning: Most learning games require the students to play as a team, thus helping them to social interactions and work together. This is very important as it hones interpersonal communicative skills as well as building up one’s emotional intelligence.
5. Performance Tracking: These platforms often come with analytics and reporting features that help educators track the progress of their students, allowing for targeted interventions and support.

List of Educational Games

There are several other educational games and platforms that have gained popularity in classrooms and learning environments around the world. These tools cater to a variety of educational needs and age groups, enhancing engagement and facilitating learning through interactive and gamified experiences. Here are some notable ones:

1. Kahoot!
   • Description: Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that allows educators to create multiple-choice quizzes that students participate in via a web browser or the Kahoot app. It’s widely used for its engaging, competitive format that turns quiz-taking into a fun and lively competition.
   • Use Case: Ideal for review sessions, formative assessments, and energizing classroom interactions.
2. Quizlet
   • Description: Quizlet offers tools for students to create and browse sets of flashcards, games, and tests. The platform supports various modes of study, including learning, writing, flashcards, and match games.
   • Use Case: Great for memorization-heavy subjects like language vocabulary, historical dates, or scientific terms.
3. Gimkit
   • Description: Developed by a high school student, Gimkit is a live learning game show that allows students to earn virtual currency for correct answers, which they can then invest in power-ups and enhancements for future rounds of quizzes.
   • Use Case: Perfect for engaging students in a competitive and strategic environment that also reinforces knowledge through repeated exposure.
4. Edpuzzle
   • Description: Edpuzzle is an interactive video-based learning platform where educators can take existing videos from YouTube, Khan Academy, and other sources, or upload their own, to create engaging lessons that include quizzes, comments, and more.
   • Use Case: Excellent for incorporating visual learning in a way that ensures students engage with the material, not just passively watch.
5. Socrative
   • Description: Socrative is a classroom app for fun, effective engagement and on-the-fly assessments. Teachers can create quizzes, polls, and games that help assess student understanding in real time.
   • Use Case: Useful for quick assessments and instant feedback on student understanding during lessons.
6. Prodigy Math Game
   • Description: Prodigy is a curriculum-aligned math game enjoyed by over a million students. It’s an RPG-style game that incorporates math questions into battles and quests.
   • Use Case: Ideal for making math fun and interactive, particularly for elementary and middle school students.
7. Duolingo
   • Description: Primarily known as a language learning app, Duolingo uses gamification to teach new languages through listening exercises, flashcards, and multiple-choice questions.
   • Use Case: Suitable for students of all ages looking to start learning a new language or improve their language skills in a fun, low-pressure way.

Each of these platforms has unique features that make learning more engaging and can be used to complement traditional teaching methods, ensuring that students not only learn effectively but also enjoy the process.

Implementing Game-Based Learning in Your Classroom

Integrating educational games into your teaching strategy doesn’t have to be daunting. Start small by incorporating short game sessions into your lessons. Platforms like Blooket often require minimal setup and are user-friendly. Observe how your students interact with the games and gradually adjust their usage based on the outcomes. Encouraging feedback from your students can also provide insights into how these tools affect their learning experience.

Conclusion

Integrating educational games like Blooket into the classroom is more than a trend; it’s a pedagogical shift towards a more interactive and personalized education system. These tools enhance how we teach and how students learn, proving that when education meets innovation, the possibilities are boundless. As we move forward, embracing these changes and exploring the potential of educational games will be key in shaping future-ready learners.

In addition to Blooket, there are several other educational platforms that have made significant contributions to the landscape of educational technology. Platforms like Kahoot!, Quizizz, and Gimkit have also become staples in many classrooms, each offering unique twists on the gamified learning experience. Kahoot! excels in creating competitive quiz-based games that ignite the competitive spirit in students. Quizizz offers a self-paced learning environment where students can engage with quizzes at their own pace, which is ideal for homework or asynchronous learning settings. Gimkit, created by a high school student, brings a unique economy-based twist to the live quiz format, where students earn virtual currency that they can reinvest in power-ups or sabotaging others to spice up the learning process.