Game, as an educational tool.

I have always been fascinated with activities that are related to games and some people may wonder, “Why the use of games in the classroom?” I believe that it is essential the use of games as they provide a context for engaging practice. I have come up with some reasons I strongly believe that game playing is a powerful tool, active engagement and fun.

As I was able to observe in my classes, students need a lot of practice to internalize important vocabulary and structures. However, for the practice to be meaningful, students must be engaged but not only using textbook exercises, as they are not always enough highly engaging. Through lively games students willingly use the vocabulary and structures, repeatedly gaining much-needed practice. By playing a game, students may be able to understand a new concept or idea, experiment with diverse options or take on a different perspective.

Through games, students can learn a variety of important skills, such as creativity, teamwork and critical thinking skills among others. For example, by playing different games, I have noticed my students’ ability when they are able to answer quickly, work collaboratively and think logically. I enjoy observing how creative they are as well as their eagerness during game activities. While playing games, students develop a variety of connections with the content and can form positive memories that can facilitate their learning process.

In any activity that requires body language, movement or even speaking in turns; it is essential to set the rules since the very beginning and taking into account that everybody understands what to do and what are the consequences if they do not respect or follow the rules.

Besides, games can provide a variety of sensory experiences for students, some students might remember the vocabulary words from acting them out, others remember hearing classmates call out answers, and other students remember reading the clues; that’s why it is important to vary the games. Games grab students’ attention and actively engage them. A game allows students to quickly involve with the content we were working on. Sometimes, an energetic game that requires lots of movement may be just what they need.