Gamification can be an engaging way to introduce or reinforce topics which way not be the most engaging in classrooms. Care does need to be taking to avoid over gamifying the classroom. Personally, I am an avid gamer and particularly enjoy board games. I think learning to win and lose civilly and play fairly are important social-emotional skills for kids to learn. As well, games provide children with the opportunity to practice skills they will need as adults. As such, I am an advocate for board games, card games, math games, PE games and the like in the classroom.

At the same time, a balance needs to be kept between cooperative and competitive games. there is a tendency for games to end up overcompetitive and be more about winning than the learning.

Games can also be available online and can appeal to the video gamers in the class and build tech-literacy skills. Examples of online educational games include:

Minecraft Education

IXL

Interland

Duolingo ABC

I am not as big of a fan of class management games such as class dojo, as I don’t believe in getting kids to “behave” or “obey” through extrinsic motivation.

The BC curriculum also includes an applied design, skills and technology (ADST) component which coding, computer science, and tech-literacy all fall under. Computer science can be taught screen free, such as through CS-unplugged or online via programs such as Scratch, micro:bits, Microsoft make and code and Code BC.

Ilya Pavlov ilyapavlov, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

I am definitely looking forward to implementing fun games and coding activities into my classroom! Please share any favorite games below.