Games in Your Classroom

In my teaching, I don't have any opportunities to share powerpoint games, let alone simulations with my students. At the school I work at, because we are constantly given and told what to teach, that leaves no time for creativity or just free time to spend time with students. I have had limited chances to work or create powerpoint games. I recall in my undegraduate years, I had to complete a powerpoint game. Also, in our IT 5120 we had to create a powerpoint presentation that would be considered a game, it involved questions about the life cycle of a butterfly, etc. So, that was pretty much all the experience I've had with powerpoint games.

If I were given the opportunity to use games in my classroom, I'd use them in a number of ways in my classroom. I'd use them to cover different subjects such as math, science, social studies, and literacy. My main reason of using games is not because they are a creative way to present information, but most importantly to reinforce material that was already presented. I'd have powerpoint games set up at a number of computers in the classroom and use them during center time, which would give each student an opportunity to engage in the activity.

When I think of educational games, I think of how they could enhance and stimulate my student's thinking and learning processes. Some teachers might think, "What would a student gain out of playing a game in class?" Does it benefit them at all? I've come across a number of teachers who have thought that and are not willing to accept that games can be educational and could very well benefit students who are more active and learn better with visuals. I feel it's a matter of presenting a variety of resources to your students and figuring out what works best for their learning styles. Having powerpoint games set up in your classroom would especially work for those students who lack the motivation and have a hard time grasping material during a certain subject. For example, a student who is having a hard understanding the different planets of the solar system during a science lesson could help him comprehend the characteristics of all nine planets, while being engaged in the activity itself.

The ways of using games in a classroom are endless. I believe that as long as they are put to good use and not overused, they can contribute to a student's way of learning class material and enhancing what they already know. It's up to teachers to do just that and keep the creativeness going.