Game On, Brain On: [Not] Bored’s Guide to Learning Through Play

Level #1: Why Your Game Collection Might Be Your Best Learning Tool

Superhero board game “meeples” on a board. Image generated with the help of AI creative tools.

Have you ever been told that playing games is a waste of time? It’s a common mistake. Let’s fix that for you. Whether you’re a board game enthusiast, a parent, or just a regular Joe unaware of the value of play, it’s time to unlock the treasure chest of the best-kept secret in the world of education.

You know that stack of board games collecting dust in your closet? Well, they’re not only good for when the Internet is out and you’re at your wit’s end with boredom. In reality, you’ve got a top-notch training facility for your brain within your grasp.

That’s right, those colorful boxes aren’t just filled with cardboard and plastic; they’re jam-packed with more brain-boosting, skill-enhancing goodness than most of your school textbooks.

The Magical Learning Loop: It’s Not Cheating, It’s “Strategic Improvement”

Picture this: You’re up to your neck in sheep while playing Catan, desperately needing just one. More. Brick. So, in a moment of weakness, you trade away your entire fluffy flock for the possibility of laying down a single road. Not the best trade, is it?

Eddie from the movie Sing Facepalming.

But fear not, brave gamer! You’ve just stumbled into the magical learning loop of games! Next time, you’ll be wheeling and dealing like a Wall Street wolf (minus the, you know… fraud). Because victory and failure inevitably lead you to the same place: intellectual growth!

Consider “Kingdomino,” a game that looks like it’s just about building impressive kingdoms with cute little dominoes. Beneath its adorable exterior lies a workout for your brain’s spatial reasoning muscles. With each play, you’re unknowingly sharpening your strategic thinking skills. It’s a gym for your brain, but you’re lifting tiny castles and forests instead of weights!

Games are designed to present a series of challenges that require players to learn and adapt. They often function as levels that build upon skills and knowledge gained in prior stages, encouraging continuous learning and mastery. These core loops reinforce learning through repetition and feedback, allowing players to learn from mistakes and apply that knowledge to future attempts. Fun and failure always start the same way, but that’s exactly what gets you hooked on this training cycle.

Michael & George Michael from Arrested Development — Episode 5, Season 3

Beyond ABCs and 123s: Games are the Swiss Army Knives of Learning.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Sure, games can teach kids their ABCs and 123s, but what about the real, meaty stuff?” Well, prepare to be impressed.

Imagine “Pandemic” as a crash course in global crisis management. Players aren’t just moving disease cubes around; they’re learning teamwork, resource management, and staying cool under pressure. It’s a mini-MBA program but with more fun and less student debt.

Or take “Dixit,” the game that turns everyone into a pint-sized poet. It’s not just about playing cards; it’s about spinning tales, reading social cues, and thinking so far outside the box that you can’t even see the box anymore. It’s creativity training with a side of giggles.

And certainly not least is “Frango Morango.” Here, you have a playful masterclass in negotiation and communication. Players aren’t just trading wacky crops to feed their Piggy at the Harvest Fair; they’re sharpening their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities and practicing effective communication. They learn the structure of a negotiation and the tools to navigate it properly. It’s like a dynamic workshop on soft skills but with more fun and whimsical storytelling.

Boromir Meme. One does not simply…

The Engagement Factor: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Dice

Here’s the real magic of games: they’re like that one teacher you had who made learning so fun that you forgot class is boring. Games have cracked the code of engagement, and it’s not about gold stars or grades. It’s about:

1. Making you the hero of your own learning adventure.
2. Letting you fail spectacularly without ending up in detention or grounded.
3. Giving you the freedom to make choices, even if they seem ill-fated or undeniably stupid (like jumping off the rainbow road in MarioKart 64 and finding the most amazing shortcut).
4. Keeping you on your toes with just the right level of challenge.

Games have figured out how to smuggle learning past our brain’s “this is boring” detector. Their strategy is very effective and happens to benefit us greatly if we want to master something.

Board Games: Where Tangible Meets Terrific

Now, let’s talk about the unsung heroes of the gaming world: board games. These tactile wonders offer something special that their digital cousins can’t quite match. It’s the difference between being in a campfire gathering vs. watching a camping movie.

When you physically move pieces, you’re not just playing; you’re engaging in a hands-on lesson in spatial awareness, planning, and sometimes even art history. Azul is one of those cases. It is like Tetris came to life and decided to add a bonus class of Portuguese art history on the side.

Let’s not forget the ever-important social component. Board games are a secret laboratory for developing emotional intelligence. Trading beans in “Bohnanza,” bluffing in “Coup,” or strategizing to guide a civilization through history in “Through the Ages” — these aren’t just game mechanics; they’re learning methods for reading people, communicating effectively, and working as a team. Like professional development sessions, but you actually want to participate.

Addressing the Skeptics: Navigating the Challenges of Game-Based Learning

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Games as learning tools aren’t without their challenges, especially when it comes to video games. Critics often point to valid concerns:

1. Screen Time Overload: Video games can expose players to too much screen time, especially younger players. Here, balance is key. That’s why we are focusing on board games (for now) here at [Not] Bored Games.
2. Misalignment with Learning Objectives: Sometimes, the game’s fun overshadows the intended learning outcomes. This is where thoughtful game design comes in. Games like “Foldit” contribute to real scientific research while teaching complex concepts.
3. Dopamine Addiction: There’s a fear that games, particularly video games, can become addictive. Unfortunately, this is largely true. Research has shown that gaming disorder is persistent and repeated participation in computer gaming for typically 8 to 10 or more hours per day and at least 30 hours a week. Discipline and balance are a crucial part of gaming.

These are legitimate concerns that deserve our caution. However, like any tool, the key lies in how we use games. Moderation, parental guidance, and thoughtful selection of games can mitigate many of these risks. This is why our games are always tied to a learning objective, so we can play wisely and ensure that the educational potential of games is harnessed to the fullest.

The Future is Play: Turning Games into [Not] Bored Games

A futuristic class where games are integrated into the learning methodology. Image generated with the help of AI creative tools.

The hope of learning through games isn’t just a wild dream cooked up by overenthusiastic gamers — some serious brainiac research has gone into it! Let’s level up our knowledge with some amazing facts:

1. Cognitive Benefits: A 2013 meta-analysis published by American Psychologists found that playing video games significantly improves a range of cognitive skills, including spatial navigation, reasoning, memory, and perception.
2. 21st Century Skills: The World Economic Forum has identified skills like complex problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity as crucial for future jobs. Guess what’s great about developing these skills? You got it — games!
3. Language Learning: A 2020 meta-analysis published in Educational Research Review found that digital game-based language learning is significantly more effective than traditional learning methods. Your brain soaks up new languages like a sponge when you’re having fun!
4. STEM Education: Games are blasting off into the world of science education! NASA has partnered with game developers to create educational missions in games like the Kerbal Space Program. It’s one small step for gamers, one giant leap for STEM education!
5. Medical Training: A study published in the Archives of Surgery found that surgeons who played video games for more than three hours per week made 37% fewer errors and were 27% faster in laparoscopic surgery — incredible fine motor skills for gaming doctors.

The future of education is leaving behind dusty textbooks and nerve-wracking tests — it’s becoming about play, exploration, and hands-on learning. And let’s be honest, wouldn’t you rather learn about history by building your own civilization in a game than by memorizing a bunch of dates that’ll make your brain feel like it’s stuck in the Stone Age?

In this gaming revolution, the possibilities are as endless as the replayability of your favorite legacy game.

Why is Change So Hard? Confronting Our Fear of Fun

Why is it so hard for some to accept games as legitimate learning tools? Perhaps we’re afraid that if learning becomes too fun, it somehow becomes less valuable. Or maybe we’re worried that embracing games means abandoning “serious” education. I’m not sure.

Protest Lady in Futurama — Episode 9, Season 6

However, one thing is clear: traditional educational systems often prioritize rote memorization and standardized testing as methods of learning. Games, with their focus on experiential learning and skill development, don’t usually align with the traditional metrics, which leads many to question their educational power.

Add to that poorly designed educational games, often lacking engagement and pedagogical soundness, and you reinforce negative perceptions exponentially. Designing high-quality educational games with clear learning objectives and engaging mechanics is crucial for shifting these perceptions. And that’s exactly what we intend to do.

Here’s a thought: what if our fear of fun is holding us back? What if we’re missing out on the most engaging, effective ways to grow and develop by clinging to traditional notions of learning?

Virginia Beauman in Love Takes Flight by Hallmark Channel

It’s time to flip the table on our assumptions. Learning doesn’t have to be a chore. Education isn’t limited to classrooms and textbooks. And games? They’re not just pastimes; they’re gateways to new skills, new perspectives, and new ways of thinking.

We will encounter more questions as we continue exploring the exciting world of game-based learning. These are just some of the puzzles we’ll be solving in this exciting journey!

But for now, let me ask you this: What game do you want to play next? And more importantly, what amazing things will you learn from it?

Stay tuned for more mind-bending revelations about the power of play in our “Games for Learning” series. Don’t forget to follow us to uncover all the wisdom that awaits and the surprises to come.