Game-Based Learning & Educational Games with BrainPOP

#BrainPOP #gamebasedlearning #educationaltechnology #edtech Sean M. Arnold PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado Boulder FieldDay Solutions iCivics Rice University SpaceScienceInstitute Teachley Tynker Thirteen/WNET Ululab Inc. Smithsonian Institution PlayMada Massachusetts Institute of Technology Michigan State University FableVision Learning Allcancode Inc. Brainquake Center for Game Science edc.org Electric Funstuff NMSU Office of Experiential Learning PlayMada

I have to admit; I am not a gamer. I have not played video games since middle school when I would go over to my neighbor’s house and play Super Mario Brothers and Legend of Zelda.

That being said, I have seen video game design (called game-based learning) used to educate students for many years. In fact, my first recollection on playing games to help learning, was on our family's Apple II+ in 1982, when I was in the 2nd grade. My mom "made me" practice my math facts (and math algorithms) on a game where I threw darts at balloons with math facts inside.

This game and others were fun and I have clear recollections of having increased confidence in math that year.

The first famous and widely used learning game that I can recall being used in school was the video game called The Oregon Trail, which, if you are reading this, you probably either played this in school or you used it as a teacher. 

Over the years, I have seen many enhancements in game-based learning with adaptive learning, increased data and many different programs that are fun and engaging for students, but do they work?

 Let’s look at a small sampling of the research:

• “We found support for claims that well-designed games can motivate students to learn less popular subjects, such as math, and that game-based learning can actually get students interested in the subject matter—and can broaden their focus beyond just collecting stars or points,” says Jan Plass, a professor in NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and one of the study’s lead authors.Educational Video Games Can Boost Motivation to Learn, NYU, CUNY Study Shows
•  “Across 57 studies that compared teaching with a game to using other instructional tools, incorporating a game was more effective… From knowledge retention to increased scores to engagement, these studies demonstrate time and time again that game-based learning significantly impacts classrooms for the better. (game-based learning theory and evidence)

Field Day Learning Games, the research lab at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research, that creates free games using contemporary research said,

"Why games? Because they work. Games turn complicated topics into fun, hands-on experiences that actually reach people."

When intentionally designed, educational games can increase student motivation, help students get interested in the subject matter and help them retain what they learned. There are other benefits. Sean Arnold, who is the NYC Dept. of Education Director of School Pathways, Computer Science, shared the following benefits and skills developed from game-based learning. In Arnold's video, "Tried and True Teaching Tips; Game-Based Learning," he shared the following benefits (see image below) to game-based learning, but focused on the two that he finds most powerful: intrinsic motivation and perseverance.

Arnold spoke about BrainPOP's GameUP, which is great at curating games from a variety of respected partners (e.g. Phet, Smithsonian Center, Space Science Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Field Day Lab, iCivics, MIT Education Arcade, to name a few) to help teach students subject matter in fun and engaging ways. There are so many games that are organized by subject or collection so they are easy to find the right game for the right subject and the appropriate grade level. Additionally, BrainPOP helps with teachers being intentional in how they use GameUP in the classroom by providing "Lesson Ideas: An Adaptable Overview" for each of their games where teachers are given the games objectives, preparation, and lesson procedure.

So does game-based learning work; the resounding answer is yes. However, let me add one caveat as a former teacher and principal for the past 25 years. The most important aspect of student learning is not the game or the program; it's the teacher. "Having a highly expert, inspired and passionate teachers and school leaders working together to maximize the effect of their teaching on all students in their care" is always the most important influence on student achievement, however; when you give the right tools to highly effective teachers ("BrainPOP; the Perfect Tool for An Educator's Tool Belt") students will thrive! (Hattie 2015, p. 2; Hattie 2017)

BrainPOP's mission is empower kids to shape the world around them and within them. And, game-based learning is one of our many researched-based components that lead to engaging, motivating, and ultimately, high levels of achievement in students.