It is widely known that video games do not have the best reputation among the older generations. People often accuse video games of causing violence among young individuals, which was supported by the media at a time. However, there are studies highlighting the pretty obvious benefits of games for people of all ages.

This is why the introduction of video games in teaching has taken roots in the last several years. Teachers are looking for effective ways to improve the quality of education and make classes more entertaining. This article is going to explain several ways how teachers can integrate video games into their school or college lesson routine.

Getting Started

First of all, you should not be afraid to experiment when it comes to raising the level of education in the classroom. Video games are not prohibited by law. According to experts from law essay service, some teachers do not understand that video games are legal. Many writing services write about the benefits of video games in education and it really is. Today, the governments of many developed countries include video games in the compulsory training materials.

With that covered, it is possible to explain two different approaches to introducing this sort of entertainment in any setting: college, university, or school. The first method is the use of actual games. There are lots of educational games out there – some are designed to explain calculus while others can introduce a student to the programming sphere!

The second one is more intricate and is known as gamification in the classroom. This method is especially interesting and deserves attention because it allows a teacher to use video game mechanics rather than actual games for the purpose of entertaining and engaging students. Think of events, experience, rewards, and so on.

Actual Games

First of all, let’s focus on the use of computer apps in the educational context. Nowadays, school students are highly likely to play some AAA games such as Fortnite or Minecraft. This opens opportunities for using these games in a school setting effectively. For example, it is possible to use the grid of the Fortnite map to teach kids calculus, as the map is divided as a grid with sections. Minecraft is an excellent tool as well – it can develop children’s spatial and logical thinking.

Still, the introduction of video games in teaching should be done carefully. Entertainment apps should not be the only method of learning if a teacher wants to achieve the goal of improving the level of education in the classroom. Some kids might not be aware of how to play the game or do not have access to gadgets – keep that in mind.

Gamification in the Classroom

In a context of a classroom, gamification is rather easy to apply effectively. If a teacher is dealing with school students, a simple thing to do is to create a dashboard with an experience points grid for every student. This way, it will be possible to motivate them to participate in the learning process. If it’s about college or university, team quizzes and group competitions are excellent ways of engaging students in critical thinking and problem-solving process.

These are only examples – there are no exclusive practices for different settings, and it depends on how a teacher is going with improving the level of education in the classroom. Competitive group activities are not exclusive to older audiences, and motivational points are not effective only with school kids.

Final Thoughts

As it is possible to see, the introduction of video games in teaching is developing in a pretty solid manner. However, if a teacher wants to really engage students and improve the quality of education, they should consider the specifics of the audience, such as age, interests, and many other things that only a teacher knows!