The use of educational games in the classroom has become increasingly popular in recent years, which has resulted in a huge increase in the market size for educational game firms. From 2024 to 2031, it is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.67%, reaching USD 21.58 billion.

Though game-based learning has been in use for generations, gamification in learning has become one of the leading digital learning tools that educators employ in K12 education.

Although traditional teaching methods remain proven, technology in education has transformed the way students learn, and in many cases, the way students prefer to learn. But it’s not just about student preference.

Research suggests that today, there are undisputed benefits of educational games in the classroom, including enhancing engagement in K12 education.

This blog explores the various functionalities and benefits of using educational games in the classroom for K12 students.

Table of Contents:

• Digital Learning Tools: Built for the Information Age
• Advantages of Incorporating Gamification in Learning
  1. Game-Based Learning = Interactive Learning
  2. Gamification in Learning Naturally Appeals to Students
  3. Technology in Education Offers Personalized Learning
  4. Game-Based Learning Solutions Foster Collaboration and Social Interaction
• Benefits for K12 Education and Real-World Application
• Best Tips to Incorporate Gaming in Education for K12
  1. Choose Educational Games Aligned with Curriculum Goals
  2. Build a Game-Based Learning Environment
  3. Integrate Reflection and Discussion
  4. Encourage Collaboration through Multiplayer Games
  5. Differentiate Learning with Adaptive Gaming Platforms
  6. Incorporate Gamified Assessments
• Using Education Games in the Classroom: Get Started with Hurix Digital and Game Learning
• FAQs

Digital Learning Tools: Built for the Information Age

Though at times it seems that technology is advancing so quickly that it is difficult to keep up, studies show that children enjoy using technology. Because all K12 students today were born after the internet took the world by storm, some have even coined them “digital natives.” The earmarks of digital natives are an affinity for using digital devices and an intuitive ability to use them properly.

Aside from the generalized look at the positive effects of educational games on students, it is evident that “screen time” is not for pleasure alone. Utilizing technology in learning helps to combine K12 education and entertainment, which translates to a higher engagement level. Learning with the help of gamification has been proven to provide a greater level of interaction, better information retention, and a faster acquisition of applicable skills.

Edutainment games motivate students to the greatest possible extent in the studying process by integrating the learning process with activities that most students enjoy already—earning points, Leveling Up, or free play with other students.

Also Read: Gamification: 5 Effective Ways to Gamify Learning in Higher Education

Advantages of Incorporating Gamification in Learning

• Increased Student Participation
• Motivation to Take Safe Risks
• Improved Attitudes Toward Learning
• Improved Academic Scores and Grades
• Greater Focus for Students with Attention Disorders
• Improved Comprehension for Students with Dyslexia
• Enhanced Emotional Learning
• Enhanced Social Learning
• More Collaborative Classrooms

All of these benefits of technology in education share a common theme: they enhance student engagement in K12 education.

1. Game-Based Learning = Interactive Learning

A primary reason that gamification in learning has been so successful is that game-based learning promotes interactive learning. Contrasted with passive learning methods such as reading textbooks, listening to instructions, or even watching videos, game-based learning solutions invite the student to actively participate.

According to the Federation of American Scientists research, pupils remembered 20% of what they were told. This figure increased to 30% when oral instruction was supplemented with graphics. When an action was taken in addition to the reasoning, the percentage increased to 50%. However, 90% of the information can be retained if students utilize gamification to complete the task on their own.

Using educational games in the classroom requires student players to make decisions, use logic, think critically, experiment, fail safely, and otherwise participate in the learning process. Thanks to technology in the classroom, this active involvement results in greater engagement and often spurs a renewed motivation to learn.

For instance, Prodigy Maths uses a game-based learning approach where players in the program engage in magic combat, task completion, and the collection of in-game “Pets” in an imaginary world. Students are made to respond to teacher-posed, standard questions to advance. This increases students’ attention and engagement level for better problem-solving skills.

2. Gamification in Learning Naturally Appeals to Students

Transforming learning into a game through technology in education results in greater engagement. Consider that children are naturally drawn to games. Many even invent their games as children. So it only makes sense that gamification in learning will attract the interest of students receiving their K12 education.

Through game-based learning, students may earn points, advance to higher levels, win awards, earn spots on leaderboards, and ultimately complete games, thanks in part to transforming learning into a game. Moreover, students may enjoy a friendly competitiveness with their peers, prompting them to work harder, learn more deeply, and make new friends, all of which help foster greater engagement, and often greater willingness to learn.

3. Technology in Education Offers Personalized Learning

A personalized learning experience is one of the benefits of educational games in the classroom. Game-based learning solutions in K12 education offer the advantage of interactive learning while catering to individual student needs.

It is well-documented that students often have preferred learning styles, and developers of game-based learning solutions know this. As such, different games may be designed to appeal to students who identify as visual learners, auditory learners, reading/writing learners, or kinesthetic learners.

Researchers are no longer convinced that classifying pupils according to a single learning type is a useful teaching strategy. Thankfully, one advantage of using educational games in the classroom is that they frequently offer interactive learning opportunities for reading, writing, kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning. They are therefore highly inclusive digital learning resources.

Additionally, game-based learning can be modified to accommodate kids at different stages of their K–12 schooling. Depending on how well a student does in the game, the level or complexity of the curriculum may grow. It has been demonstrated that individualized instruction improves student progress and engagement for all students, including those with learning challenges.

4. Game-Based Learning Solutions Foster Collaboration and Social Interaction

Digital learning tools such as educational games help foster collaboration and social interaction among students receiving their K12 education. This is one of the many benefits of educational games in the classroom.

In addition to offering interactive learning, games in the classroom frequently offer multiplayer features. This enables students to work together to problem solve, strategize, categorize, recall information, and much more. In doing so, engagement in a discussion feels social and often promotes a collaborative environment in the classroom.

Students are more inclined to talk, exchange ideas, and pick up knowledge from their classmates when they are actively involved with them. At the same time, students will be learning critical social skills that will help them long after they finish their K12 education, such as effective problem-solving, teamwork, and clear communication.

Also Read: Top 6 eLearning Trends for K12 Education in 2023

Benefits for K12 Education and Real-World Application

Here are the top benefits of educational games in K12 education:

• Closing the Theory-Practice Gap: By simulating real-world situations, educational games enable students to apply their theoretical knowledge in realistic, real-world settings.
• Improving Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities: Game-based learning fosters the growth of critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are necessary for success in the classroom and in real-world scenarios.
• Making Learning Relevant and Engaging: Educational games assist students grasp how their classroom experiences translate outside of the classroom by illustrating real-world applications.
• Developing Soft Skills: Students gain useful interpersonal skills that they can use in their daily lives by cooperating, communicating, and working as a team in multiplayer or group-based games.
• Increasing Adaptability: Students gain the ability to adjust to various situations and challenges, which improves their capacity for flexible thought and responsiveness to shifting conditions in the real world.

Best Tips to Incorporate Gaming in Education for K12

Here are three best tips to effectively integrate gaming into the classroom!

1. Choose Educational Games Aligned with Curriculum Goals

Choose games that support your learning objectives and curriculum. Seek for K12 games that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.

Math-focused games such as “Prodigy” or language arts games like “Wordscapes” are good examples of how to reinforce skills while having fun with learning. Make sure the games accommodate a variety of learning methods and are age-appropriate for all students.

2. Build a Game-Based Learning Environment

Create an environment in the classroom that invites experimentation and discovery. Provide gaming stations so that students can cooperate and exchange techniques whether working alone or in groups.

Use gamification features, including leaderboards, badges, and prizes, to inspire pupils and acknowledge their accomplishments. This method fosters healthy peer competitiveness.

3. Integrate Reflection and Discussion

Encourage debates and introspection following interactive education games to strengthen learning. Invite students to talk about the experiences they had while playing the game. Presentations, journals, and group discussions can all be used to accomplish this.

Students can enhance their comprehension of the subject matter and make connections between the gaming experience and real-world applications by critically analyzing their games.

4. Encourage Collaboration through Multiplayer Games

Incorporate multiplayer educational games to foster teamwork and collaboration among students. Games like “Minecraft: Education Edition” allow students to work together on projects, solve problems, and communicate effectively.

These experiences teach valuable social and communication skills while reinforcing academic content in an interactive, team-oriented setting.

5. Differentiate Learning with Adaptive Gaming Platforms

Use adaptive educational games that adjust difficulty based on individual student performance.

Platforms like “DreamBox Learning” for math provide personalized learning paths that adapt in real-time to students’ strengths and weaknesses, ensuring that each learner progresses at their own pace. This approach helps address diverse learning needs and keeps students motivated.

6. Incorporate Gamified Assessments

Use gaming as a tool for formative assessments. Incorporating game-based quizzes or challenges can help evaluate student understanding without the pressure of traditional tests.

Tools like “Kahoot!” and “Quizizz” offer fun, competitive ways to review content and assess knowledge, providing teachers with valuable insights into student progress while keeping the classroom environment engaging.

Also Read: How to Create an Engaging Game-Based Training Experience?

Using Education Games in the Classroom: Get Started with Hurix Digital and Game Learning

Researchers are only just beginning to identify all of the benefits of educational games in the classroom, as technology in education is relatively new and advancing rapidly. However, students receiving their K12 education in classrooms that utilize game-based learning solutions are acquiring valuable skills for academia and beyond.

Hurix Digital, in partnership with Game Learning, offers award-winning educational games covering subjects like math, science, history, and ELT. Designed for preschool, primary, and secondary students, these interactive solutions are now available through Hurix.

Ready to bring innovative game-based learning to your classroom? Contact us today for expert recommendations and discover how Hurix Digital can help you implement engaging, interactive educational games in your K12 curriculum.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

Matt Massman

Matt Massman is the Founder and CEO of Game Learning, a leading EdTech company based in Los Angeles. Massman has spent his career developing educational tools to improve the way students learn. Previously, he launched Vinci Academy with Dr. Dan Yang. As Founder and CEO of Mass Equity, a privately held real estate development company, he has facilitated more than $1 Billion in developing preK-12 educational facilities.