It is high time to introduce game-based learning at regular schools in India. The game-based learning process is ideal for students to grasp information by participating in real-world scenarios and develop their learning skills by observing them. Game-based learning improves student’s engagement towards a particular task and makes the whole learning experience more interesting leading to enhancement in memory retention.
One of the primary advantages of Game-based learning is it allows students to involve, practice, and learn the right way to do things that results in active learning. In this model, students work toward a goal by choosing an action that is correct according to their thinking, and simultaneously they also experience the consequences of those actions. Also, it encourages students to take more responsibility and ownership for a particular task.(http://sportsnarad.com/sports-a-great-teacher/)
Game-based learning can create a versatile learning tool that can combine different learning styles into a single game no matter what a student’s primary or secondary learning style is, a single game can address all of them. Also, Game-based learning provides students a safer environment for failures, as it gives them a chance to try out new things without the fear of facing failure in a public or a classroom setting.
Benefits of Game Based Learning
• Can be implemented to improve both learning and teaching
One of the greatest challenges in the modern education system is to successfully train a larger pool of people which includes both teachers and students who have different personalities, capabilities, and learning preferences.
The knowledge and skills acquired through game-based learning are retained longer than information from other learning methods. An effective learning process is one in which you are fully involved in what you are doing. In order to make learning effective, game-based learning requires games that are well designed and have well-implemented learning tasks.
Game-Based Learning plays a key role in helping students to collaborate, communicate, interact, and work in teams (http://sportsnarad.com/sport-a-media-for-global-connect/). Board games such as chess improve the functioning of the brain and play an important role in enhancing the strategic and planning capabilities of individuals and teams (http://sportsnarad.com/chess-the-perfect-blend-of-art-science-and-sport/). The competitive and dynamic nature of these games inspires learners to develop new skills related to different subject matters.
• Game-Based Learning is more flexible
Game-based learning methods are tested and adjusted to be more effective learning tools right from the production stage. Many a time they are updated with new information and approaches even after the game is released. Some game makers even follow a student-monitoring analysis system wherein teachers monitor the student’s behavior constantly and based on their inputs, future updates and adjustment are made.These adjustments make students more comfortable and create a healthy environment for them to participate more in such activities and enjoy the process of learning itself.
• Increases self confidence & develops analytical skills
Game-Based Learning plays a key role in boosting the self-confidence of children by creating a sense of accomplishment when they win or reach an advanced level of a game.
Game-Based Learning has a better chance of improving a child’s analytical skills as games like Scrabble (http://sportsnarad.com/puzzles-the-total-brain-workout/ )and chess promote the use of logical reasoning and critical thinking which play an important role in improving the overall analytical thinking among children.
• Enhances conceptual knowledge and memory
Children learn and grasp topics faster and retain them for a longer duration of time when they learn through interactive games. It has a long-term impact on children as it increases the level of engagement leading to quality learning in an effective manner.
Game-Based learning concepts increase the retention power among children and sharpen their minds. Children develop better visualization skills by participating in different games. It also improves their information retrieval abilities helping children to understand and grab concepts faster.
• Most preferred classroom learning option
The integration of games to suit real life scenarios to achieve educational goals is supportive of the fact that game-based learning is surely going to reach new heights. With every passing day game making companies are introducing innovative and interactive games making learning more knowledgeable and fun. Also, their ability to provide personalized and effective teaching methods has made them the most preferred classroom learning option.
• Immediate feedback on performance
The other important aspect of game-based learning is that each student gets immediate feedback on their performance, along with suggestions on how to improve their performance.
A well-designed educational game can combine the learning objectives of both students and teachers such as
Learners designing and creating their own games according to their specific requirements.
Teachers and trainers custom designing games to suit learner’s requirements and knowledge level.
Integrating commercial games into classroom activities for effective learning.
