GAMES IN THE

by Miranda
CLASSROOM Smith
Prior beliefs about games in the
classroom
Before reading more about games in
the classroom, I had the idea that
games are fun and can help build
community, but are not necessarily the
most effective way to learn academic
content. I worry that centering games in
the classroom could create too much of
a competitive atmosphere or could
What does the
hinder intrinsic motivation to learn.
research say?

1
Multiplayer games can boost social
skills
Collaborating to play a video
game can give learners the skills
to collaborate in real life. Forde
and Kenny found that multiplayer
online games may even boost
perceptions of people from other
countries (as cited in Shapiro,
2014).

2
Design-based games can increase
learning
Research out of Clemson
University found that design-
based video games, where players
create something themselves, led
to greater learning gains and
improvements in skills like critical
thinking (Noonoo, 2019).

3 Games can be highly engaging

Games can be an entry point into school-
based learning for reluctant students.
Many students already play games
outside of school, so the opportunity to
use this knowledge in school can make
them excited to participate. One study
found almost half of teachers reported
that gaming in the classroom motivated
low-performing students (Chen, 2016).

Current beliefs about games in the Template and images from Canva

classroom:

Games can be used carefully in the
classroom to support learning. They
should be paired with instruction, not
seen as a replacement for it. Games
are most effective when students have
References:
Chen, S. (2016, February 23). Classroom gaming: What it isn't,
what it is, and how to do it right. EdSurge. Retrieved July 4, 2023,
from https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-02-23-classroom-
gaming-what-it-isn-t-what-it-is-and-how-to-do-it-right?
utm_content=buffer1b82f&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linke
din.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Noonoo, S. (2019, February 12). Playing games can build 21st-
century skills. Research explains how. EdSurge. Retrieved July 4,
2023, from https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-02-12-playing-
games-can-build-21st-century-skills-research-explains-how

the opportunity to collaborate, create Shapiro, J. (2014, June 13). Benefits of gaming: What research
shows. KQED. Retrieved July 4, 2023, from
something, and reflect on how the https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/36269/benefits-of-gaming-what-
research-shows
game may be alike and different from
reality.