There are free game-based learning resources that can help e our work as educators a little less challenging. We know our students have different learning styles and what works for one will not work for all.
Here are a few resources to get you set up for game-based learning success. We found the list below to be of high-quality, helpful, and free resources that will help educators (early childhood and primary) of all subjects integrate relevant and engaging learning games into our classrooms.
Go through the resources below and leave your feedback on the ones you found to be most inspiring in our comment box below.
Have you ever wondered, how your fellow educators are using games in their classrooms? Well we have – here are insights from seven game-based learning pioneers compiled into a handy eBook!
How to Teach with Games is loaded with ideas, lessons learned, and tips and tricks to help you get started using games in your classroom. Remember we are never too old or young for games.
Game-Based Learning: Preparing Students for The Future – EdSurge Guide
Another great starting point for folks looking to dive headfirst into the wild world of game-based learning!
EdSurge is an all-new guide to game-based learning features interviews with expert educators, handy infographics and tutorials, and insightful thought leadership from renowned leaders in the games for education and released earlier this year. It was Created in conjunction with Minecraft: Education Edition
Mindshift’s Guide to Games and Learning
Mindshift’s Guide to Games and Learning is a classic – and deservedly so! Similar to EdSurge’s game-based learning guide, this site is jam-packed with high-quality stories, videos, and interviews from leading experts in the game-based learning space including Jordan Shapiro and James Paul Gee.
Extra Credits: Games in Education
YouTube channel Extra Credits is an excellent resource for folks wishing to learn more about video games in a general sense:
- how they are created,
- what they mean, and in our case,
- how they can be utilized to elicit learning and impact outside of the game itself.
The channel has released a number of videos on game-based learning over the years and have compiled them all into a handy “Games in Education” YouTube playlist!
Five Inspiring Game-Based Learning TED Talks
TED Talks, like a memorable course or lesson, have the power to motivate, engage, and inspire viewers. Check out the following roundup of games for education-focused sessions and immerse yourself in the research of leading game-based learning figures like Triseum’s André Thomas and renowned game designer and researcher Jane McGonigal.
James Paul Gee on Learning with Video Games
Are you familiar with the work of Dr. James Paul Gee? The Arizona State University professor is hugely influential in the game-based learning space, and in this exclusive video from Edutopia, the legend offers a concise overview of why video games are incredibly effective learning tools.
Katie Salen on the Power of Game-Based Learning
Dr. Katie Salen, a professor at the University of California at Irvine. She is a leading figure in the world of games for education.
Learn more about her research at Edutopia video feature in which she gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at Quest to Learn, the first school of its kind designed entirely around principles of game design and play.
Hope you are ready to dive in and start playing?
A great source of free games is BrainPOP’s selection of GameUp games, a curated repository of high-quality, browser-friendly learning games spanning a variety of subjects like social studies, math, arts, and more.
You will be please to know that; all of BrainPOP’s games are accompanied by a “Lesson Ideas” page which offers free-to-use lesson plans, teaching tips, and more to help extend student learning beyond the game itself.
The Explorable Explanations hub is home to a variety of (mostly free) bite-sized interactive digital learning experiences on a range of topics from chemistry and civics to philosophy and psychology. High schoolers (teachers and students) will love these.
A hand-picked selection of games, simulations, and interactive graphics, the site bills itself as, “a hub for learning through play” and based on experiences, the site is well worth your time!
For more game-based learning insights check out following
I love the numberline game on brain Pop…
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I just happened upon your page and I am fascinated , I love the game -based idea of helping children to learn and reinforce content .
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Thank you so much….
It is indeed a concept that is dear to my heart… I have used it many times and the results are exceptional.
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