Playing games can help students learn. When students learn new material, they need to find a way to help remember or retain the new information. A lot of times, students read through their notes, or do homework problems (like in math class), and these activities help to reinforce what they just learned in class. A much more fun way to help remember what has been taught is to play a game that relates to the new information.
When students played the Oregon Trail game, students had to remember some of the things that were found along the way by having fun and moving pieces around the board. Kids like to play games, even if it relates to learning. Many students are competitive, and competing to win a game makes it even more fun to remember what has just been taught. Students play a game and they reinforce what they just learned, and in the end, they remember more. It’s a “win-win” situation!
Gaming really does help reinforce learning, when the game relates to the subject matter. It’s a fun way to help review and remember what students are learning.
