Game-based learning — News in Games-Based Learning — University XP

Posts in Game-based learning

The popular board game that helps build resilience and problem-solving

The popular board game that helps build resilience and problem-solving

Settlers of Catan is a strategy board game that has transformed modern gaming since 1995 and offers more than entertainment. By simulating social and business environments, Catan helps players develop strategic thinking, resource management, negotiation, adaptability, and resilience. Players analyse contexts, manage limited resources, differentiate strategies, and collaborate or compete to achieve goals. The game mirrors real-world uncertainty and decision-making, making it a powerful tool for game-based learning.

Game-based learningDave EngAugust 27, 2026Strategic thinking, Game-based learning, Resource managementComment

Hasbro’s Secret Weapon for Training Its Next Leaders: A Board Game

Hasbro’s Secret Weapon for Training Its Next Leaders: A Board Game

Company leaders, using gameplay to simulate real executive decision-making under pressure. Participants, after an intensive crash course in business fundamentals led by senior executives, assume co-CEO roles and make strategic choices about hiring, investment, and growth, mirroring challenges of leading a major toy company.

Game-based learningDave EngAugust 18, 2026Leadership development, Game-based learning, Executive decision-makingComment

Four Lesser-Known Origins of Game-Based Learning

Four Lesser-Known Origins of Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning may seem modern, but many of its most effective principles were established decades ago. Early educational games like The Oregon Trail were designed as classroom tools aligned with curriculum and institutional needs, not entertainment products. Organizations such as MECC integrated games into statewide educational infrastructure, ensuring durability and relevance.

Game-based learningDave EngAugust 13, 2026Game-based learning, Educational technology history, Simulation-based learningComment

Turning Math Anxiety Into Curiosity: A Teacher’s Take on Game-Based Learning

Turning Math Anxiety Into Curiosity: A Teacher’s Take on Game-Based Learning

Math anxiety is common among students, often resurfacing each fall as they struggle with foundational skills lost over the summer. To address this, the teacher introduces game-based learning tools like Prodigy, which adapt to students’ levels and turn math practice into low-stakes, engaging play. Students become more curious, confident, and willing to participate, while their skills..

Game-based learningDave EngJune 15, 2026Math anxiety, Game-based learning, Student engagementComment

Unveiling History: iCivics, Colonial Williamsburg launch ‘Investigation Declaration’ game for youth

Unveiling History: iCivics, Colonial Williamsburg launch ‘Investigation Declaration’ game for youth

iCivics and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation have launched Investigation Declaration, a free, award-winning online game that teaches how Enlightenment ideas shaped the Declaration of Independence and inspired global movements for freedom.

Game-based learningDave EngMay 12, 2026Civics, Investigation Declaration, Game-based learningComment

Tap into game dynamics in nurse training

Tap into game dynamics in nurse training

To address challenges in training over 3,000 nursing students across nine sites, a demonstrator project integrated game-inspired elements with active, reflective learning. Instead of gamifying for attention, the design used narrative, challenge, feedback, and exploration to foster clinical reasoning and engagement.

Game-based learningDave EngMarch 8, 2026Game-based learning, Nursing education, Clinical reasoningComment

Bring learning to life with Minecraft Education

Bring learning to life with Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education engages students across subjects through immersive, game-based learning that promotes creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Aligned with educational standards, it supports instruction in coding, AI, science, math, history, and more.

Game-based learningDave EngMarch 5, 2026Game-based learning, Minecraft Education, Digital citizenshipComment

Homeward: ULI’s New Simulation Game for Attainable Housing

Homeward: ULI’s New Simulation Game for Attainable Housing

Homeward is a board game developed by ULI Boston to teach players about housing development trade-offs in suburban contexts. Players, working in teams, design communities on a blank slate, drawing goal cards focused on sustainability, mobility, and affordability.

Game-based learningDave EngFebruary 1, 2026Housing development, Suburban planning, Community engagementComment

How Video Games Are Being Used in Education and Training

How Video Games Are Being Used in Education and Training

Video games are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for education and professional training. Beyond entertainment, they support skill development like problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Game-based learningDave EngJanuary 15, 2026Game-based learning, Skill development, Educational technologyComment

Sister Nivedita School Hosts CBSE Capacity Building Program on Game-Based Learning

Sister Nivedita School Hosts CBSE Capacity Building Program on Game-Based Learning

Sister Nivedita School in Ameerpet, Hyderabad, hosted a CBSE Capacity Building Programme on April 9, 2025, focusing on game-based learning and gamification. The one-day session aimed to enhance teaching methods by equipping educators with innovative tools to make learning more engaging.

Game-based learningDave EngDecember 29, 2025Game-based learning, Gamification, CBSE Capacity BuildingComment

Digital games may improve mental health in refugee kids

Digital games may improve mental health in refugee kids

A study presented at BAU International University found that digital games can significantly improve both academic skills and mental health in refugee children. The research involved 147 Syrian children aged 9 to 14 and showed that game-based interventions helped teach language and cognitive skills while reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression, and hopelessness.

Game-based learningDave EngNovember 29, 2025Game-based learning, Refugee children, Mental healthComment

Forum: Look at game-based learning to nurture students’ critical thinking skills

Forum: Look at game-based learning to nurture students’ critical thinking skills

Game-based learning, a method combining structured gameplay with educational goals, is gaining traction alongside AI in Singapore’s evolving educational landscape. Unlike traditional methods, serious games prioritize teaching concepts and reinforcing knowledge while keeping learners engaged through fun.

Game-based learningDave EngNovember 1, 2025Game-based learning, Serious games, AI in educationComment

Gaming for good: Republic Poly students create games to let you experience life in a wheelchair

Gaming for good: Republic Poly students create games to let you experience life in a wheelchair

Republic Polytechnic students collaborated with the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Singapore to design games that raise awareness of mobility challenges faced by wheelchair users. One game, Mall Time Crunch, intentionally featured difficult navigation to mimic real-life obstacles, encouraging empathy through gameplay.

Game-based learningDave EngSeptember 30, 2025Game-based learning, Accessibility, EmpathyComment

Education can be an Assassin’s Creed: How board and digital games can transform learning

Education can be an Assassin’s Creed: How board and digital games can transform learning

A viral video featured social science teacher Mr. Mahathey using the game Assassin’s Creed to teach history, specifically the Battle of Thermopylae, by guiding students through the game's depiction of ancient sites.

Game-based learningDave EngSeptember 12, 2025Game-based learning, Assassin’s Creed, History educationComment

Research Roundup: New Studies Reveal the Impact of Games on Learning and Motivation

Research Roundup: New Studies Reveal the Impact of Games on Learning and Motivation

Recent research highlights the transformative potential of game-based learning, particularly through immersive VR environments. One study found that competitive elements in environmental VR games affected students differently based on prior knowledge, emphasizing the need for adaptive design.

Game-based learningDave EngAugust 30, 2025Game-based learning, Virtual reality (VR), Adaptive designComment

Rewind: Gaming Education

Rewind: Gaming Education

Video games and playful approaches are increasingly being integrated into educational environments, offering unique benefits for student learning. Games foster creativity, goal-setting, communication, and collaboration while reducing the fear of failure.

Game-based learningDave EngJune 25, 2025Game-based learning, Creativity and collaboration, Educational gamesComment

Humans Are Wired to Learn Through Gaming

Humans Are Wired to Learn Through Gaming

At the Serious Play conference held at U of T Mississauga, over 300 scholars explored the use of games in education. One highlight was “The Cutie,” an augmented reality game developed at Yale School of Medicine to teach ICU visitors how to prevent germ spread.

Game-based learningDave EngMay 16, 2025Serious Play conference, Game-based learning, Augmented realityComment

K-State lab explores development and educational uses of games

K-State lab explores development and educational uses of games

At K-State’s College of Education, the Game Lab explores the educational potential of games. Open three days a week, it allows students, faculty, and community members to play games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering while researchers investigate how games can enhance learning.

Game-based learningDave EngMay 4, 2025Game Lab, Educational games, Game-based learningComment

The Value of Studying Games for Graduate Students – Guest Writer Courtney Harting

The Value of Studying Games for Graduate Students – Guest Writer Courtney Harting

In graduate education, particularly in secondary education, studying games and play can challenge the prevailing emphasis on standardized learning and assessment. Games encourage active, imaginative, and risk-taking learning, moving students beyond passive approaches.

Game-based learningDave EngApril 29, 2025Game-based learning, Standardized assessment, Secondary educationComment

Shoelace Learning

Shoelace Learning

Shoelace Learning, founded by Julia Dexter in Halifax, addresses the literacy crisis in education by offering game-based learning solutions.

Game-based learningDave EngApril 6, 2025Shoelace Learning, Game-based learning, Literacy crisisComment