Game-Based Learning – not popular with most education professionals as it is deemed to be cast aside and regarded as just playing games. Personally I feel that this can be combated by explaining and demonstrating this type of learning to these professionals.

This type of learning can create a higher level of motivation and determination in the classroom. It can also create a deeper imagination within the young learners inspiring them with stories and ideas which can freely flow from the learners brain after the stimulus.

An example of this is Mario Karts for the Nintendo Wii. In class we played this before being set the task of creating lessons based around the stimulus. Mr C. Ewing and myself came up with the idea of a sort of cross-curricular activity day based around a race where the children would bring in scooters/bikes.

The children could create their own costumes in a couple of art lessons prior to the activity day.  During the races (P.E. Lesson) the children could record the results and create charts and tables based on them (Data Handling). After the race the learners could write a story about the race they were in with the option of writing from their characters perspective. Also the class could write a description of their character in the chosen foreign language.

So you can see how this could motivate and enthuse the learners. Also it shows that with one game, so many lesson ideas can be created. This shows the endless possibilities of Game-Based Learning.

Games feel more like a form of entertainment than a method of learning. Because games include rules, definitive objectives, measurable goals and competition, they deliver an interactive experience that promotes a sense of achievement for all of the participants.

Learners are often motivated by hands-on and active learning opportunities.

– www.brighthubeducation.com