Students come to school to learn, but in some classes they also come to play. Some classroom settings provide the opportunity for in-class games, others do not, and others depend on the teacher’s preference. In-class games range from flyswatter to board races to basketball. Some teachers promote these games in class while others dispute their effectiveness.

Pro-Games:

Elizabeth Eckert, health and PE teacher, plays games in her health classes if the content allows it. She says games are a good way to review the major topics of her class.

“In the classroom, there’s a lot of content we need to deliver in a short period of time,” Eckert said. “It’s not so much the game as the review that is important.”

Eckert says that her students have a positive response to her in class games, in regards to both behavior and performance.

“I think sophomores are old enough to understand the need to be responsible in the classroom setting during games,” Eckert said, and added that the students have had good sportsmanship and attitudes during games for years in her class.

Eckert also says that students who are there for review games do better on tests. However, she does acknowledge the difficulties of getting everyone to participate since games are easier for certain students.

“If a student is shy and quiet in discussions, they are going to be challenged to participate in games too,” Eckert said. “The kids that get most excited about playing games are usually the more active or kinesthetic learners.”

Eckert tries to get all her students excited for game time.

“I try to create an atmosphere of a team so kids can ask classmates for help and don’t feel like a point is their responsibility,” Eckert explained.

Eckert also enjoys seeing a student become their team’s unexpected hero. She believes her in-class games are beneficial for learning as they are not played excessively.

Anti-Games:

Brian Scott, Spanish teacher, has a different view. In his opinion, the games he has seen are not an effective teaching method. Instead, Scott uses other in-class activities that he thinks are more beneficial in helping students learn.

“I like methodology that actually makes kids think,” Scott said. “In foreign language we try to do as much realistic methods, assessments, and practices as possible.”

Scott disagrees with Eckert, believing that students’ maturity is why they shouldn’t play games. He says that games are acceptable for elementary school students and middle school students, though in middle schoolers should be transitioned into the high school atmosphere of no games.

“Games are less effective overall in high school,” Scott said. “Students are capable of higher level thinking, and we need to be able to challenge kids to do that.”

Scott says that high school needs to prepare students with real life skills, and games do not. He believes that other activities are more effective and can still be fun.

“I see kids smiling and laughing in my class all the time. It may not be crazy fun, but kids still have a good time,” Scott said.

According to Scott, most students know that while games are fun they are not the best method for learning.

“I think students deep down know games don’t really help them learn much better,” Scott said. “More important things need to be done. As you get more advanced, tasks get harder and games don’t get you ready.”