First, let’s clarify a couple things. One common myth about GBL is that it requires high-level technology. Another is that it is simply using games, whether physical or on the web, in the classroom. These ideas are not entirely true. Yes, GBL can be more rockstar when using technology, but it is not a requirement. No, GBL is not simply using games in the classroom. It is about making a rigorous unit of study a robust game, not just one day, where multiple games and challenges are used to explore concepts and learning targets in depth.
This article does an awesome job of breaking down Game-Based Learning for educators. They also link to five related articles at the end, which I found to be so interesting I’m just going to link to them here too:
- Video Games for Learning: Resource Roundup by Edutopia Staff
- Using the Video Game Model in the Classroom by Mary Beth Hertz
- How to Plan Instruction Using the Video Game Model by Judy Willis
- A Neurologist Makes the Case for the Video Game Model as a Learning Too by Judy Willis
- Computer Games Explore Social Issues by Kara Platoni
