Do Games Result in Learing? Math 1512 Post #5

Do games really result in learning? Yes!!! The answer is YES!!! Games are a great way to help students learn. Students love playing games so when you can incorporate learning into a game everyone can have a good time and the benefits are endless. Games can be used to teach a topic, reinforce a topic, or practice a topic. Games also provide a variety of different learning strategies and encourage critical thinking. Students are interested in and want to play games in class, therefore students remain engaged and interested in not only the game itself but in what they are accomplishing and learning. 

Some people feel that playing games in class is a waste of time and money. The feel that students should learn the materials by drilling them into their heads and practicing them in a fashion that many students find to be boring. This in turn makes students look at math in a negative and boring way. Students want to have fun with their learning, and games in the classroom when used in the proper way can be very beneficial. Students are able to learn all of the required materials while maintaining a positive outlook on learning math.

This week we explored a website from BBC Education that included all different types of math learning games. There are so many different websites that are free that include learning games that cover all different topics, levels, and subjects. I was introduced to a couple other websites that contain math learning games from a teacher in my mentor's school. She really likes to use Hooda Math and Math Nook as learning games in her classroom. There are so many online learning games and resources you can fine pretty much anything you need including printable practice sheets and activities, and many of these resources are free!

Math games for the classroom are not limited to online resources, there are so many other games you can play in class with basic classroom materials such as play money, cards, and dice. There are so many different and creative ideas for math games in the classroom. There are also ideas for math learning games that parents can do with their children outside of school. Math games are a fantastic way to keep students positive about learning math. Games really do result in learning!!!