IMPROVING STUDENTS’
PERFORMANCE THROUGH
GAME-BASED LEARNING
Jessica V. Sacdal
Teacher III
What is
Game-based
Learning
(GBL)?
Game-based Learning
GBL is an instructional strategy
that uses digital games to engage
students, improve content
understanding and teach new skills.
By providing students with the
opportunity to explore topics with
interactive challenges, game-based
learning breaks down complex topics
into multiple levels of understanding.
Game-based Learning
It is a form of experiential and
participatory learning that uses
games as the platform to teach and
engage students around a topic.
Characteristics of
Good Games
Clear,
A safe environment
achievable
to explore and in
, goals,
Age which to make
rules,
appropriate mistakes.
measurabl
e
Appropriat outcomes
e FUN
and
challenge, rewards.
Collaboration
gradually and
Interaction
increasing competition
and
difficulty.
Feedback
Pick Me!
Read Me!
Student Learning Outcomes
VISUALS
The visual nature of games not only
made the learning activity more fun and
engaging, but it was a much easier way
for them to learn as compared to other
instructional methods they frequently
encountered.
Student Learning Outcomes
GREATER
COLLABORATIO
N
Students enjoy working together and
working as a team. Many learners also
enjoy helping other classmates when
they experience difficulties, and the
support and encouragement they
received from team members during
game-play.
Student Learning Outcomes
CONCENTRATIO
N AND FOCUS
The ability to improve and sharpen focus
and concentration through games, both
in the short term and over the long
term. It may also impact on the
perception of students’ ability to learn.
Student Learning Outcomes
TEAMWORK
This is one of the most commonly cited
positive attributes to game-based
learning. The opportunity to work
together, to share responsibility, to lean
on one another when stuck, and so on.
Impact on Teachers and
Teaching Practices
Teachers are finding that their
role is changing in various
ways. It allows the chance to
TEACHER
ROLE
interact more such as
spending less time up at the
white board talking and more
time with smaller groups and
seeing how they are going.
Impact on Teachers and
Teaching Practices
Teachers enjoy being able to
work with and assess specific
groups but need to keep in
CLASSROOM
MANAGEMEN mind that they have to be
T highly organised in order to
keep the game running and
move groups on through their
tasks.
Impact on Teachers and
Teaching Practices
Using games can lead to
teachers becoming more ICT
oriented. They feel the games
TEACHER
SKILLS themselves are making them
more aware of things that are
out there.
Family F
eud
What are the benefits of
using digital games within
learning? Teachers who are
Benefits of using digital games using digital games in Other teachers
their classroom
Increased students' engagement in learning. 88% 74%
Address different learning styles. 80% 63%
Help students reinforce learning. 62% 49%
Provide practice opportunities for students. 59% 46%
Differentiate instruction. 59% 48%
Help students visualize different concepts. 51% 40%
Introduce new concepts within lessons. 50% 41%
Benefits of Game-Based Learning
Popularity of gaming, attractive to learners
Fun factor, capture attention
Inspire and motivate learning
Opportunity for real life experience
Challenges
Problem-based learning (deeper
understanding)
Limitations of
Game-Based Learning
The challenge for teachers to
identify how a certain game
would connect to the
curriculum.
CURRICULU
M
Difficulty with integrating the
play of the game into time
structure of the day, often in
45-min classes.
Limitations of
Game-Based Learning
The challenge for teachers to
identify the accuracy and
GAME
RELATED
appropriateness of the
content of the game.
Irrelevant or distracting
content from the game that
could not be removed.
Limitations of
Game-Based Learning
Lack of available time for
teachers to learn the game
TEACHER
and generate best practices
SUPPORT with it.
Lack of specific training and
support on the effective use
of games in the classroom.
Limitations of
Game-Based Learning
Traditional assessments do
not often align with game-
ASSESSMEN
T based learning, so new
models and approaches must
be considered.
Limitations of
Game-Based Learning
The challenge in persuading
other school stakeholders to
ATTITUDE
the value of the game in the
classroom.
Thank
you!
