Edutainment in School With Board Games

Edutainment in School with Board Games

In the past, teachers were often reluctant to use board games as teaching tools. The educational games were often boring and students would not have a good learning experience because they were not interested in playing the game.

Over the past five years, more high-quality educational board games have been introduced that combine the fun, content and playing experience that will capture a student's attention. Teachers are now increasing their use of board games in schools as a teaching tool.

Playing these new board games provides students with edutainment – they enjoy playing these games and are able to expand their knowledge or use what they have learned in their classroom. The fun aspect of the game makes the information seem relevant to the student's life. They will be more eager to learn and more likely to retain what they have learned.

The age of the student affects the type of game which will provide the most edutainment. Students under six years old are looking for a fun experience. They are too young to read educational game cards, count money, build strategies or follow complex rules. Instead, they have fun and learn from simple game activities like throwing dice and counting off squares as they move their marker ever closer to the goal. The games must be quick to learn and quick to complete since they have a short attention span.

The older student is more likely to participate in edutainment – he or she will actually learn while having fun playing a game. Game cards to read, letters to assemble and questions to answer all add to the learning experience. Playing the game with other students provides a fun opportunity to practice social skills such as turn-taking, graceful winning (and losing!) and being patient with other players. Their attention span allows them to stay engrossed in a game for 30 to 45 minutes.

Selecting the Best Games

Teachers should select board games that:

• Teach or reinforce – Look for games with useful information that echoes what is being learned in school. Adventure games with maps and cultural information can be educational. Fast-paced board games with money (like Monopoly) give players math practices by counting money and making change.
• Are fun to play – The game needs to be engaging so that the student continues to concentrate on the information being presented. Games for the youngest students should be easy to understand since they cannot read.
• Kids want to play – The game should be quick to set up and fast to play. The game itself should have a visual look and rules that are exciting and interesting.
• Are sturdy – The game board and any game cards should be laminated. Students are less likely to play with games that have dog-eared cards or a damaged game board.

Games to Consider

Any of the following games are a great way to kick off a program for edutainment in school with board games:

Games for Geography

• Great States – For ages 7 to 10 and Great States Junior – For ages 4 to 7
• Geografacts – For ages 7 and older
• Snapshots Across America – For ages 8 to 13
• 10 Days in USA and 10 Days in Africa – For ages 10 and older and 10 Days in Europe – For ages 10 and older

Games for Science

• Amazing Animal Trivia – For ages 6 and older
• My Food Factory – For ages 9 and older
• The Way Things Work – For ages 10 and older

Games for Reading or Spelling

• Phonics Board Game – For ages 6 to 10
• Upwords – For ages 8 to 12
• Scrabble and Super Scrabble – For ages 8 and older and Scrabble Junior – For ages 5 to 8
• Monopoly – For ages 8 and older and Monopoly Junior – For ages 5 to 8
• Apples to Apples – For ages 12 and older and Apples to Apples Junior – For ages 7 to 12
• GramMillionaire – For ages 10 and older
• Trivial Pursuit – For ages 12 and older
• Cranium – For ages 13 and older
• Word Up – The world's most popular board game to learn English as a second language

Games for Math

• Candy Land – For ages 3 to 6
• Chutes and Ladders – For ages 3 and older
• Auntie Pasta's Fraction Game – For ages 6 and older
• Monopoly – For ages 8+ and Monopoly Junior – For ages 5 to 8 and America's National Parks Monopoly – For ages 8 to 11
• USA's Greatest Cities – For ages 8 and older