Game based learning (GBL) is a type of game play that has defined learning

outcomes. Generally, game based learning is designed to balance subject matter

with gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter
to the real world.

Game based learning describes an approach to teaching, where students explore

relevant aspect of games in a learning context designed by teachers. Teachers and
students collaborate in order to add depth and perspective to the experience of
playing the game.

Good game-based learning applications can draw us into virtual environments that
look and feel familiar and relevant.

Within an effective game-based learning environment, we work toward a goal,

choosing actions and experiencing the consequences of those actions along the
way. We make mistakes in a risk-free setting, and through experimentation, we
actively learn and practice the right way to do things. This keeps us highly engaged
in practicing behaviors and thought processes that we can easily transfer from the
simulated environment to real life.

While similar, gamification is a different breed of learning experience. Gamification

takes game elements (such as points, badges, leaderboards, competition,
achievements) and applies them to a non-game setting. It has the potential to turn
routine, mundane tasks into refreshing, motivating experiences.

Game based learning is one method among many that will enhance the classroom
learning environment by increasing motivation, increasing opportunities to develop
a decision making process that forces analyzing and implementing solutions, and
will allow these skills to transfer to other aspects of life. Game based teaching and
learning can be quite effective if understood what it is and how it can be
implemented to enhance instruction and learning. Games are not the end-all be-all
answer to the problems in education, but they can dramatically change the
classroom if infused into the classroom culture properly.

It can be a little unclear trying to pinpoint what is meant by game based teaching/
game based learning. There is confusion between game based learning,
gamification, and games. Games are something that we all understand. It does not
matter how complex or simple a game can be in order for it to be a game. According
to (McGonigal 2011), games have four key ingredients.(McGonigal 2011)

Goal a game has to have a desired outcome that everyone is working to

accomplish.

Rules in order to achieve the goal there has to be some parameters put into place
that eliminate or make it difficult to achieve the goal.
Feedback system this is a process where the player knows where they are in the
system to achieve the goal.

Voluntary participation basically this means that everyone involved in the game
understands the rules, has a clear sense of the goal, and how to receive feedback.

Gamification is something else that is worth discussing. Many people confuse

gamification and game based learning. Gamification in its simplest form can be
described as a way to add game elements to a non game situation.(Blogger
2015). In many classrooms this is done by gaming the classroom through the use of
offering badges, leveling up, and earning various items as they progress through
the work. Classcraft would be one of the best examples of gamifying a classroom.

Game based learning is not gamification. Game based learning is using games to
enhance the learning in the classroom. The idea is nothing new. It has been around
for decades dating back to even before the education game changer Oregon Trail
was implemented almost everywhere in the 80s.

Game based learning takes the four elements that create a game and combines
them with the expectations and goals of the classroom. When we discuss games for
learning it is essential that educators see a benefit to the use of the game. If
educators can grasp that a particular game can motivate students to learn, is fairly
simple to implement, and can prove learning targets, standards, and district goals
can be met, then a game has great potential to actually being used in the
classroom. One fundamental difference between gaming for fun vs. gaming for
educational purposes is that educators start with learning goals, and gaming
media choices will be made based on the games potential to meet those
goals.(Dikkers 2015)

The first key element to game based learning is hooking students. There are many
arguments being made that students now are digital consiuers and gaming
machines. There is great debate over whether this is good or bad. No matter where
you stand on this debate the key piece is that games continue to play a huge role in
our lives. For students, game play has shifted to digital games. The shift is with
adults also as we continue to find ourselves glued to our phones and tablets.
Schools and educators are making the shift as well. In a recent study it was found
that 74% of educators in the K-8 setting used digital games as part of their
instruction.(Joan Ganz Cooney Center Level Up Learning: A National Survey on
Teaching with Digital Games 2015) Whether the games were deemed effective is
another topic altogether. However, the reason digital games are being used is to
help motivate students. Another study was conducted on whether or not digital
games motivated students to learn. The study discovered that 65.5% found games
to be motivating, 28% claimed it would not matter either way, and 8% found them
to be demotivating.([No Title] 2015) This study proves that games can be
motivating, but they are not the ultimate solution. Any educator knows that
developing relationships, treating students like they matter, providing them a voice,
and showing you care are vital to any teaching method to work. If educators can
show how a game based learning activity can impact their lives and make a
difference, then you can increase the number of students who will buy in. No game
will solve all the problems, but it can be one element that does help.

If we can agree that game based learning can have an impact on motivation if
implemented properly, then we can move on to the next element that is very
important. Game based learning can help students learn to develop their problem
solving skills and develop solutions. For example, lets take Minecraft as an example
to showcase that game based learning can increase problem solving skills,
solutions, and transfer to other aspects of life.

Minecraft is one of the most popular games of all time and more importantly has
changed how we think of games. Minecraft operates on the ideas that a blank slate
is compelling for many young minds and that a persons mind is limitless or
forever voyaging. (Dikkers 2015) Minecraft serves as a perfect tool to develop
creativity and computational thinking. Computational Thinking (CT) is a problem
solving process that includes a number of characteristics and dispositions. CT is
essential to the development of computer applications, but it can also be used to
support problem solving across all disciplines, including math, science, and the
humanities. Students who learn CT across the curriculum can begin to see a
relationship between subjects as well as between school and life outside of the
classroom.(Google for Education: 2015)

Minecraft operates on the premise of building with blocks. The players starts with a
blank slate and without a manual or tutorial most people get it. It is a blank canvas
similar to using a pencil on paper to create whatever your mind can develop. It is
that blank slate where the player can bring to life their ideas. Minecraft can be used
in a variety of ways. First, Minecraft can be used for creativity. A player can be given
unlimited use of all the tools in the game to build whatever their heart desires. The
player simply builds with blocks, creates new items with crafts, can do coding with
redstone and command blocks, and basically anything they want to do can be done
with enough learning and design. Second, Minecraft can be used for survival mode.
In this case the player must start with nothing and figure out how to survive zombie
attacks, hunger, weather, and the basics of being alive. There is a great deal of
problem solving in this style of play. The power of Minecraft is that you can adjust
the settings to literally make it whatever you want.

When it comes to problem solving, computational thinking, and meeting the needs
of the classroom, Minecraft has proven ways to do all of these things. Erik Miller, a
teacher, has created a world in Minecraft called World of Humanities which places
students back in ancient civilizations. It is a beautifully constructed world that has
so much to offer. It allows students to really grasp the key moments in history.
Depending on where you start and where you go there are a variety of tasks to
accomplish. This world supplements the learning in classroom, it does not replace
the learning or the educator.

There are many versions of design challenges for students to solve in creative
mode. One idea that has many different versions is students building a famous
structure to scale. This could be something from any time period or even their own
school. Students must research and understand what needs to be built, they must
prototype on paper or other CAD software, break into teams, and collaboratively
build the intended outcome. There are hundreds of examples on how Minecraft can
teach problem solving skills. These examples shared are just two ideas.

The power of game based learning lies in the fact that not only can a teacher teach
content, but they can also incorporate 21st century skills easily. If we stick with the
Minecraft example, almost every single 21st century skill in the Common Core could
be reached. Through collaborative play, building, problem solving, communication,
and networking students must work to develop the necessary skills that will prove
vital to their future. Education is slowly understanding that it is not the content that
matters as much anymore(this thing called the Internet provides content in
seconds), but the ability to use the necessary content to solve real world problems.
Games like Minecraft help students work on these essential skills in ways that it
does not feel like school. By working through these massive multiplayer
environments students are working on their college and career ready assets to be
productive in other aspects of their lives.

In closing game based learning can be a very powerful and effective method for
helping students learn. It is not the solution that will solve all problems because
nothing will ever do that. However, it is one key teaching strategy that can build a
classroom to being quite powerful. Games are not going to be the answer because
kids like games. Games are popular and therefore can help engage more students
by connecting to what they are interested in as an individual. Students will enter the
games from various backgrounds in games. It is important to provide the support
and extensions needed to meet the needs of each learner. A game like Minecraft is
so vast and open that it can easily be modified and adjusted to meet the needs of
any learner and educator. Educational games cannot lose sight of the learning
targets and goals. This can easily happen for the sake of fun. It is not the job of
schools to be fun and entertaining, but it is their responsibility to engage, create
social opportunities, and help meet the needs of each learner. If students dont feel
connected, then the learning will be lost. Games can be one avenue to promote
engagement, develop social skills through collaborative play, and integrate what
they enjoy in their free time in school. As educators we must continue to strive to
meet students where they are instead of forcing them to meet us where we are.
Game based learning could be one effective way of doing just that.