Gaming the System: The Many Educational Benefits of Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning takes many forms—purposeful play in the classroom, game-like approaches to curriculum design, even school-sponsored esports competitions. Whatever it looks like, combining games and education has the power to create deep connections to material and build skills that will help students throughout their lives.

Our new series with EdSurge explores how game-based pedagogy has taken shape in schools over the past half-century and what impact games may have on the future of learning. Check the whole series out here or read on for a roundup of all the posts.

A History Lesson - Reflecting on 50 Years of Game Based Learning

This three-part series examines the development of the 'edutainment' movement, tracking the broad impact of an iconic learning game.

Part I - Remember Oregon Trail? It remains one of the most popular learning games of all time, outperforming every learning game since. Why has it been such a hit?

Part II - Review key moments in the history of education focused games.

Part III - Where do we go from here?

A Serious Look at Game-Based Learning - Arana Shapiro, Managing Director and Chief Learning Officer at Games for Change, discusses the challenges involved in getting adults to take play seriously, as well the many life lessons that may be imparted through effective educational gaming.

How Gaming Creates Opportunities for Learning That Endures - Mimi Ito is a cultural anthropologist and learning scientist at UC Irvine. Here, she comments on the history of gaming in education, its limitations, and its potential—when done well—as a conduit for deep connections with learners.

How Game-Based Learning Develops Real-World Skills - For 10 years, middle school Guidance Counselor Rachelle Vallon has been part of a group of educators and staff using game-based learning to teach students how to think critically and creatively, analyze systems and ask thoughtful questions. Recently, Vallon sat down with EdSurge to share what she's discovered about the social-emotional value of games—both digital and analog. 

On a Mission With Game-Based Learning - Ben Kelly, a two-time recipient of the Canadian Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence in STEM, believes that mission- and game-based learning are ideal for captivating students across the curriculum, not just in his technology class.

Here at Endless, we believe in the power of learning games so much that we started Endless Studios to help game designers at all levels collaborate to build new skills. Check out the current courses here.