Philosophy of Using Games in the Classroom

Engaging student in the process of learning is a life long task that every educator must devote to in order to be successful. Teachers have used methods readily available to them in order to offer education and to engage students. Of course, methods have changed dramatically, and in a world of ever-changing technology the teacher is obligated to master these tools and use them to both make his job more effective, and to assure that students are also working with these tools. More than ever, with the availability of electronic devices to the general public, it is has become important and imperative that students engage in what their future will depend on, but also to use the tools that will engage them.

            While the area of gaming is a concept that may not necessarily be taught about as as an educational one, many skills can be practiced and learned. While it is true that most of our current students enjoy online games in one way or another, it is also true that the educator can tap into that as a resource and implement gaming into his/her curriculum. Seeing the potential that this could create, I have come to the conclusion that gaming should be an important part of my teaching, and will implement it in order to meet the needs of our current generation. The goals is to engage students in new literacies that will that will allow them to work with tools that are common and normal to them, and which at the same time encourages many problem solving strategies. Aside from this, students can be enriched by assignments that well planed and will get them to practice many of the skills that the common core curriculum ask from our students. Therefore, incorporating gaming into the curriculum is an essential part of a modern teacher, and must be another tool that helps the teacher engage students, while allowing students to sharpen their skills by doing something that pertains to their interest.