Do Educational Games Actually Teach Us?

By: Therese Domingo

A lot of students enjoy playing games, especially because it can make class time go faster. The big question is: do we actually learn anything when we play these types of games? The top three common quiz games our teachers use at Carmenita are Wayground (formerly known as  Quizizz), Kahoot, and Blooket. They mainly have us play on these websites to review or as a reward.

One reason students enjoy these quiz games is because they make learning feel less like doing regular schoolwork. Instead of answering questions on a worksheet, these games let students compete with their classmates while earning points, while teachers can see how well students are doing. These games can also make students more interested in participating, especially when it’s something they´ve already learned in class.

However, these quiz games do not always mean that students are learning. Sometimes they focus on getting a high score or beating their friends instead of thinking about the questions. This often leads to students clicking through the questions without understanding why their answer was incorrect. This brings up another question: Are these games helping students, or are they only making reviews more entertaining?

Some students may say that quiz games help them remember information because they repeatedly see and answer the questions. Other students may feel that these games are distracting because of the competition and time limits. Though, it all depends on whether they are playing to review for a test or simply playing as a reward.Overall, online quiz games can make class more interactive, but the game itself does not guarantee that students will learn. The way the teacher uses the game, the types of questions included, and whether students take the time to understand their mistakes can all affect if much learning actually happens. So, next time you play these games, maybe stop and wonder if this game is actually helping me or is this game just a distraction?