If you carefully choose the right sort of game it will engage the children in your class – in my opinion you have to take that as a given. It is what you do with that engaged group of children and how you make a difference to their learning that counts.
- Games can be used in isolation – they can be just as effective in single lessons.
- Don’t dwell on just the game – think beyond it, how can you leverage that enthusiasm.
- Make time for your own play. Set up a different save profile, that way you can stay one step ahead.
- Plan ahead, but also decide not to plan! Discovery in gaming is an important part of the experience – sharing the unexpected with your class is amazing.
- Explore the literature surrounding the game, online walkthroughs and game manuals are a great way to encourage reading and writing.
- Mimic the immersive nature of the gaming environment in your classroom.
- Build displays that develop with time as the unit/game progresses.
- Allow the children to play independently as well as in small groups.
- Step back and watch the community of practice develop – you will see children exploring things together, explaining and sharing.
- Consider using the game in a different room with a small focus group, which sometimes allows them to have a much more in depth experience.
The clearest message from my experiences I can offer is to leverage the children’s enthusiasm into other areas of the curriculum.
Pic: get big! by Don Solo – Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License