What is Game School and How It’s Shaping Modern Education?

Game school?  Seriously?  What is this new type of schooling and can a child really learn by playing games?  Just hearing the name may rattle some feathers.  Shouldn’t kids be getting the three R’s, reading, writing, and arithmetic, and forget all these new fangled ideas?  Aren’t most students in American public schools failing the basics? 

Let’s delve into this new game school concept catching fire in the world of education and determine for ourselves whether it should revert back to being an element of family leisure nights, or whether we need to pay attention and make sure our own children aren’t missing out.

Game school blends the allure of gaming with learning skills to encourage an immersive educational experience. This trend is capitalizing on the natural enthusiasm children have for play, repurposing it for learning. It’s grounded in the idea that learning can be as engaging and addictive as playing a favorite video game, tapping into the same reward systems and feedback loops.  This part is huge!  Who doesn’t want to win?  Don’t we all have at least a bit of competitiveness in us, just waiting to play?

Game school harnesses the power of gamification in learning, revealing its growing popularity and effectiveness. For some very lucky children out there, educational games are no longer mere supplements to conventional teaching methods; they’re becoming central to their curriculum. Games allow education guides, teachers, and parents to meet students on familiar ground, employing interactive elements and game design techniques to present academic content in a way that’s both dynamic and fun.  Ok, this definitely is sounding like something to learn more about.

This evolving trend has seen significant growth as digital technologies become more entrenched in everyday life. The global gamification in the education market witnessed notable expansion, signifying a shift towards more interactive and game-based teaching methods. Game school introduces elements like points, levels, and badges to traditional learning, providing a tangible sense of progression and achievement that matches the digital world students interact with outside the classroom.

Is this really a new concept?  Let’s find out. The famous Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner famously said, “Play is the work of childhood.” Waldorf has made a lasting influence in schools. There are 3,100 Waldorf schools around the world today and Waldorf education is very popular with homeschoolers, as well.  The most famous psychologist in the development of children had a lot to say about play.  Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development viewed play as integral to the development of intelligence in children.  And…let’s not ignore equally acclaimed Russian psychologist, Lev Vygotsky, who said, “In play, the child is always behaving beyond his age, above his usual everyday behavior; in play he is, as it were, a head above himself. Play contains in a concentrated form, as in the focus of a magnifying glass, all developmental tendencies; it is as if the child tries to jump above his usual level.”  Maybe this concept is not so new.

In game school, students learn through play, intertwining educational content with gaming elements to make learning more engaging and effective.  Game school is an educational approach that incorporates game design and game elements into the learning process. This method enhances student engagement and motivation by using techniques like scoring systems, competition, and interactive challenges. It’s designed to meet students where they are, appealing to their natural enjoyment of games, and transforms learning into a more dynamic and enjoyable experience.

This idea has its roots in the long-standing understanding that play is a fundamental part of learning. The introduction of digital technology into the classroom simply evolved this concept into what is now known as game schooling. It’s a response to the digital world students inhabit outside the classroom where learning and gaming are not seen as separate activities but as complementary parts of their daily lives.  

Game School blends the excitement of gameplay with critical thinking, and learning content. It’s quickly gaining traction as it taps into the engaging and interactive nature of games to enhance learning experiences.

Engagement: Game School capitalizes on the intrinsic motivation created by games to foster deeper intrinsic value and engagement in learning. Studies indicate that when students are actively engaged, their ability to retain information and apply learned skills improves significantly.

Learning Outcomes: By incorporating gameplay into educational settings, students often experience enhanced cognitive gains. Game-based learning supports a range of skills from critical thinking to problem-solving, which can translate to better academic performance across various subjects.

Adoption Rates: For homeschoolers, game school is heavily trending.  Many homeschool parents have long understood the power of play and have been incorporating games even before the trend hit. This trend reflects a broader understanding of the effectiveness of games in maintaining student interest and participation in educational activities.

Technology Integration: As parents and schools continue to integrate technology in classrooms and homes, the use of video games and interactive platforms for educational purposes has become more common. This includes everything from simple math games to complex simulations that replicate real-world scenarios.

Innovation in Learning: The future of Game School looks promising with advances in virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies can provide even more immersive and personalized learning experiences for students.

Expansion Across Disciplines: Game School is branching out beyond traditional subjects. It is being used to teach everything from language arts to social studies, illustrating its versatility and potential to reshape education in numerous fields.

How Does Game School Work

Here’s how game school typically works:

1. Game Selection: The first step is to choose games that align with educational goals. These can range from simple games that teach basic math skills to complex strategy games that develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Games are selected based on the subjects or skills that parents or educators want to emphasize, such as literacy, math, science, history, or social skills.
2. Learning Objectives: Educators and parents define specific learning objectives for the game school session. This could be as straightforward as learning to count or as complex as understanding historical events or scientific concepts. The key is to have a clear understanding of what educational outcomes the game is intended to support.
3. Integration with Curriculum: In a more structured educational setting, games are integrated into the broader curriculum. For example, a history game might be used during a unit on ancient civilizations, or a game involving currency might be used in a math lesson about money.
4. Guided Play: Educators often play alongside children, especially when introducing new games. This allows them to guide the learning process, ask probing questions, and point out connections to real-world concepts. It also provides an opportunity to model good sportsmanship and critical thinking.
5. Discussion and Reflection: After gameplay, it’s important to discuss what was learned and how it applies to other areas. This reflection can help solidify the knowledge and skills gained during the game.
6. Assessment: Educators may assess learning informally through observation during gameplay or through more formal methods, such as quizzes or projects related to the game’s content.
7. Variety and Balance: A successful game schooling approach involves a balance of different types of games to cover various subject areas and skills. It also includes a mix of competitive and cooperative games to encourage different types of social interaction and personal development.
8. Community and Family: Game schooling often involves group play, which can help build community, family, and social skills. Children and siblings learn to work together, communicate effectively, and respect each other’s turns and strategies.

Board games can be an excellent way to teach a range of skills and subjects, including math, language arts, science, history, critical thinking, problem-solving, and social skills. Here is a list of board games that are popular and effective for game school across different educational areas:

Mathematics and Logic: 

• Prime Climb – A game that helps with understanding prime numbers, multiplication, and division.
• Sum Swamp – An addition and subtraction game perfect for younger children.
• Dragonwood – A game that involves strategic thinking, probability, and simple math.
• Tiny Polka Dot – A card game designed to help young children understand numbers and patterns.
• Adsumudi – Fun and educational way to improve math skills.
• Set – A card game of visual perception, pattern recognition and logical reasoning.

Click HERE for a full review of the mathematics and logic games listed.

Language Arts: 

• Scrabble, Bananagrams, or Upwords – Great for vocabulary building and spelling.
• Dixit – Encourages creative thinking and storytelling.
• Apples to Apples Junior or Cards Against Humanity: Family Edition – Good for language development and understanding of nuances in word meanings (be sure to choose the age-appropriate version).
• Quiddler – This is an excellent game for spelling and vocabulary.
• Blurt – It’s a great way to improve vocabulary and quick thinking language skills.
• Pictionary – helps with language development as players must communicate concepts and words through drawing.
• Story Cubes – The game consists of dice with pictures on each side.  Players create a story based on the dice that they roll.
• Zingo – is a popular education game designed for children, who are beginning readers and learning to read.

Click HERE for a full review of the language arts games listed.

Science:

• Photosynthesis – Teaches about the life cycle of trees and the importance of sunlight in the ecosystem.
• Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game – A game that educates on cell biology and how cells function.
• Evolution – A game that helps players understand how animals adapt to their environment.
• Planet – A game that helps players understand geography, ecosystems, biodiversity, animal habitats, strategy, and critical thinking.

 Click HERE for a full review of the science games listed.

History and Geography:

• Timeline – A card game where players try to correctly place historical events or inventions in chronological order.
• Ticket to Ride – A geography-based game that teaches about different countries and continents through railway routes.
• The Oregon Trail Card Game – Based on the computer game, it teaches about the challenges of 19th-century pioneer life.
• Trekking the National Parks – An educational board game that teaches geography skills, strategy, and content about our National Parks.

Click HERE for a full review of the history and geography games listed.

Critical Thinking and Strategy:

• Catan – Teaches resource management and strategic planning.
• Carcassonne – A tile-placement game that encourages strategic thinking and foresight.
• Pandemic – A cooperative game that requires players to work together to solve a global crisis, which can teach teamwork and problem-solving.
• Blokus – A spatial reasoning game made up of different configurations of squares that requires players to use strategic thinking and problem solving.

Click HERE for a full review of the history and geography games listed.

Online simulations can be an excellent resource for gameschooling, as they often provide interactive and immersive experiences that can teach a wide range of subjects. Here are some of the best online simulations that can be used for educational purposes:

1. SimCity or Cities: Skylines – These city-building and management simulations can teach about urban planning, economics, and environmental management.
2. Kerbal Space Program – An aerospace simulation game where players create and manage their own space program, teaching physics, engineering, and astronomy.
3. Civilization Series – Turn-based strategy games that cover historical, cultural, and technological development, teaching history and critical thinking.
4. Tyto Online – A science MMO game where players solve ecological problems and learn about ecosystems, genetics, and more.
5. Zoo Tycoon or Planet Zoo – Zoo management games that can teach about animal behavior, habitat conservation, and business management.
6. Flight Simulator – A series of flight simulation programs for aircraft, teaching about aerodynamics, geography, and the physics of flight.
7. DragonBox – A set of math-based games that cover topics from basic arithmetic to algebra, catering to a range of ages.
8. EVE Online – A space-based, persistent world massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that can teach about economics, cooperation, and strategy.
9. Foldit – A puzzle game about protein folding, which has the dual purpose of teaching about biochemistry and contributing to real scientific research.
10. iCivics – Founded by former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, iCivics provides engaging civics simulations that teach about government and democracy.
11. Quandary – A game that teaches ethics and critical thinking through decision-making in a new society.
12. CodeCombat or Scratch – Programs that teach coding through game-like experiences, suitable for beginners and children.
13. Eco – A game that simulates ecosystem management and environmental balance, teaching about sustainability and biology.
14. Mission US – A free interactive simulation game that merges players in historical settings and allows them to make decisions that highlights everyday people’s lives that were shaped by historical events throughout American history.
15. PhET free math and science simulations in physics, chemistry, earth science and biology.

When choosing an online simulation for game School, it’s important to consider the age and interests of the student.

Alright…we know what this is all about.  We know how to implement it. We know it is gaining traction and trending for a reason.  We know what the best board games and virtual games are for learning. How much time can be devoted to game school?  Should it be implemented daily in my child’s education by design?  Should my child be game schooling with simulations or board games or a combination of both?  These are questions that only you, the parent, can answer because every homeschool situation and family are different.  Start slowly and make adjustments as you go.  Maybe games will end up being your child’s main curriculum or maybe it will be used to supplement. Perhaps you can organize a once a week game school with your child’s homeschool friends to play together.  The bottom line, if you are reading this article, your child is probably already ahead of the pack because you are devoted to your child’s education and seeking valuable learning opportunities.  Your child is greatly blessed by you and your game school enhancement will add play. Play is how children learn. So…game away!