Whether you are aware of it or not, we are currently immersed in a never-ending discussion about what the new generation needs and what approaches and instruments should be given to children to meet those requirements.
Every year, tutors and teachers are confronted with new terminology, concepts, and ideas that appear as if they are the single final solution to all educational challenges. The truth is that education is not a problem to be solved, and no one nor a single solution will ultimately improve the teaching-learning process.
On the other hand, diversification, trying out alternative options, and analysing the results prove the real keys to success. One of the best methods that can be efficiently utilized is game-based studying, as games can build both knowledge and skills.
Photo by Margaret Weir from Unsplash
The outcomes of employing this method have shown that using games to promote and encourage children to learn is highly beneficial. This approach utilizes a game concept to achieve specific learning goals, whether they are related to skills, knowledge, or attitudes.
For that reason, let’s look at some of the best games that encourage learning while playing and all of the benefits that game-based learning has brought to people overall.
Puzzles
Puzzles are one of the most popular games, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Nonetheless, whether it's a crossword, a good old jigsaw puzzle, or a Rubik's cube you're trying to solve, the goal is always the same: figure out how to put together a group of pieces to fit together perfectly. Puzzles can be entertaining, but they can also be educational if you choose the right ones for your child. Here are some reasons why puzzle games build both knowledge and skills.
Photo by Ross Sneddon from Unsplash
Puzzles help kids learn about the world by providing new challenges and opportunities to explore their environment. In addition, puzzles also allow kids to test their knowledge about objects, people, and concepts within a controlled environment where they know exactly what they're looking for. This helps them develop their problem-solving skills while still encouraging curiosity and exploration.
Furthermore, they also encourage kids' cognitive development by boosting their memory skills, spatial reasoning abilities, and other essential brain functions critical for future learning success. They also teach kids how important it is to take time to think things through carefully before acting on impulse — which can be difficult for young children who tend to rush into things without stopping to think strategically.
Real-Life Games
The setting of real-life games is the actual world, and this is the type of game that is most motivating but also the most stressful while developing knowledge and skills with youngsters. Kids must move, act, and use their bodies and minds to participate in this gaming interaction. This is the most immersive learning style, and it engages students in practically every element of their studies.
Real-life games are frequently linked to the theater because it is possible to move into a specific place. Role-play exercises, simulations, and drama are all readily available in this sort of game learning. Kids operate "as if" they are game characters, making decisions based on their objectives, the environment, and the rules.
The Digital Gaming Landscape
When it comes to digital games, the environment is set online. In reality, many digital study programs feature web boards on which a teacher can alter or add educational content based on the topic being played. Children can also be involved in creating this type of game, especially if teachers are unable to use online tools without their assistance.
.jpg)
Photo by Ella Don from Unsplash
Usually, in digital games, children play as characters who progress through the game, encountering hurdles. A digital game does not need students to learn skills related to the use of their bodies or physical space, but it can teach them how to work together in a virtual environment, which is quite different from a real-life setting.
The Benefits of Games in Education
Many people feel compelled to prepare future generations to adapt to various rapidly changing settings. Hard skills, such as gaining degrees or credentials, were once considered a career guarantee. Hard skills are still necessary today, but they are frequently insufficient. As a result, soft skills such as the ability to communicate, work in a team, and managing time are also essential.
In addition, interpersonal skills such as empathy, listening, decision-making, critical thinking, and other aspects are becoming increasingly important in today's society. They should be at the forefront of every child’s curriculum. Let’s look at some of the not-so-surprising benefits of game-based learning.
The Ability to Work in Teams
It is easy to see why a game is ideal for team and group work. When everyone participates in a match collectively, they either lose or win.
They Develop Creativity
Games are valuable instruments for encouraging creativity, mainly when children are involved in the game's development. This way, their imagination knows no limits. Within a game, children can fill in the blanks with their solutions and ideas.
Decision Making and Critical Thinking
These are two traits that can be learned and practiced, especially during role-playing games. When students are assigned to play specific roles in specific locations, they must make quick decisions on how to achieve the desired goal.
Motivation
It's a well-known fact that motivation is essential for effective learning and obtaining skills. As a result, game-based learning works well because games are naturally stimulating and entertaining.
However, it's crucial to build and combine games appropriate for children's ages; for example, teenagers may lose interest in a game that appears too immature. Games must be tailored to their audience and include content relevant to the appropriate age groups.
Final Thoughts
As gameplay improves, education and entertainment will become the same to a greater extent. Eventually, we expect games and entertainment to be as important as textbooks in an educational setting. They will represent a whole new type of medium for education in the future, allowing for learning without limits and new possibilities.
