Video Games Are a Playful Way to Guide Students to Unlock Meaning in Literature
Video Games Are a Playful Way to Guide Students to Unlock Meaning in Literature
Video Games Are a Playful Way to Guide Students to Unlock Meaning in Literature
Matthew Farber
August, 06, 2025
Summary
Teachers can enhance literacy by treating narrative video games as texts, much like books. Just as students interpret books with compliant, negotiated, or oppositional readings, games can spark similar critical thinking and emotional engagement. Pairing books like Where the Wild Things Are with games like Lost Words: Beyond the Page helps students explore complex themes such as grief, memory, and identity. Reflective tools like player journals and literature circles deepen understanding. Even without gameplay, videos or discussions allow students to connect personal experiences to narratives. This multimodal approach fosters empathy, inquiry, and engagement—especially for struggling readers in today’s media-rich world.
Reference
Farber, M. (2025, August 6). Video games are a playful way to guide students to unlock meaning in literature. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/integrating-video-games-literature-lessons