Game-based learning has the potential to revolutionize the educational process completely. It is an innovative approach educators are adopting widely. In this article, you’ll find out all about game-based learning, its advantages, and specific solutions to help level up your studies.
What is Game-Based Learning?
Game-based learning is an academic approach that uses games to increase students’ engagement and performance. These activities must be interactive and immersive to provide the best results. Students study by playing and solving specific tasks and problems. It can include offline and online games as well as simulations. The main goal is to incorporate first-hand experience, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Game-based learning often gets confused with gamification. Gamification means adding game-like elements into a lesson (like points, levels, or awards). At the same time, game-based learning incorporates games, not only specific components.
This approach is quite different from a traditional curriculum. It differs not only in methods and tools but also in the goals. It is about giving information and ensuring it can be easily retained. Although widely used in schools, it is also incredibly beneficial for higher education.
College students deal with a huge workload, which might worsen their performance. Constant stress undermines cognitive performance and academic success. That’s why taking breaks and engaging in different study methods is essential. For example, students that struggle with meeting deadlines can pay to write papers with the help of professionals. It is a great way to get qualified assistance and advice and have more time to unwind.
Professional academic writing platforms provide writing, editing, and proofreading help to students in need. Experts can assist you in finishing and polishing your paper to be ready for submission. Or they can do it entirely for you. In any case, students get outstanding results while establishing a healthier study-life balance. And such collaboration is a powerful educational opportunity. Students get to work with experts and learn from their guidance.
The application of new methods is essential to increase academic performance. Differentiation leads to more flexibility and accessibility. And game-based learning is an excellent example of that.
Benefits of Game-Based Learning
This type of learning allows students to immerse themselves in a simulated environment. It creates a space to get first-hand experience with the knowledge. The reward element increases motivation and helps move toward new goals. Trying, testing, and experimenting in a safe environment is also great.
Other advantages of this method include:
- It significantly improves computer-based knowledge and digital literacy;
- It is entertaining and engaging;
- It boosts enthusiasm among students regarding the educational process;
- It is flexible and offers individualized study experience;
- It is adaptive and can upgrade rapidly to incorporate new needs;
- It significantly improves knowledge retention because it appeals to different emotions and senses;
- It endorses collaboration between players;
- It forms problem-solving skills and critical thinking;
- It boosts decision-making;
- It aids cognitive development;
- It gives a feeling of recognition with various rewards.
Overall, game-based learning is incredibly practical and valuable for students of all ages. For instance, Lisa Forbes and Alison James from the University of Colorado Denver studied playful pedagogy in higher education. The study shows that college students are much more engaged and motivated in such an environment than in a traditional one—also, such methods create closer and more trustful relations between students and educators.
So it is not surprising that more institutions apply this approach. It comes with significant benefits and has the potential to make student lives more accessible and less stressful.
Exciting Game-Based Learning Solutions
Here are some of the existing software solutions that are used in classrooms.
Kahoot
Kahoot is a popular online platform for quizzes. Here anyone can make unique quizzes for a lesson or test preparation. The platform uses a lot of different gamification elements. In addition, it comes with a great selection of interactive activities. As a result, players get unique rewards and participate in various activities.
Kahoot also has a mobile app, which makes it even more convenient. The games are called Kahoots. There are live ones and asynchronous ones. In addition, there are various templates and helpful information on this method’s principles and best practices.
Quizlet
Quizlet is another great quiz-making platform. But it is mainly known for its flashcard opportunities. It benefits students who want to use spaced repetition or prepare for exams with flashcards. Such a tool allows better memorization.
The platform comes with a lot of content in a game-show style. It can be used in a lesson by educators. Or students can use it for training in their free time. The content is diverse and comes with multimedia of all sorts. And there is an impressive library of pre-made flashcards.
Gimkit
It is a fantastic solution students can use on any device. And the questions will repeat throughout the kit so you memorize all the crucial concepts. So the aim is to comprehend and remember specific content.
There is also a currency inside the app. Users get it for outstanding performance. You can use it for different upgrades or power ups in Gimkit. In addition, it comes with interactive lessons, assignments, and ten different modes.
Math Playground
It is an in-browser application that aims to make Mathematics entertaining and straightforward. It offers a decent library of mini-games and puzzles. Also, it gives a lot of informational resources for educators. There are traditional lectures and videos to turn Math into an adventure.
My Word Coach
It is a simple yet effective application. It gives users daily word challenges. It is helpful for students that want to increase their vocabulary and boost their writing and speaking skills. There are different mini-games to get a better hold of English. It can also be beneficial for those who are learning English as their second language. With an extended vocabulary, you’ll impress even the best research paper writing services and your educators.
In Summary
Game-based learning gains more recognition because it offers a great range of benefits. It is engaging, effective, and experience-based.
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