Building a Community in the GED Classroom through Games

Games. A useful tool or a waste of time?

Games can add a lot to your GED classroom, specifically, it can help to build a community. I love games, and I play them with my students whenever it seems to fit in with the current lesson. Here are some benefits to games that you may have overlooked:

1. Friendly competition. It’s difficult to compete without getting involved, especially when teams are assigned for games. When half of your classroom is playing against the other half, a team unity forms. This alliance gives the students a way to connect with one another and bond as they try to outdo the other team.

2. Critical thinking. Many games involve strategy which will ultimately lead to better critical thinking skills, an important ability to develop for the GED test. Figuring out a way to beat the other team is similar to finding an answer to a difficult test question.

3. Building self-esteem. As their teammates cheer them on, students begin to build self-confidence. They eagerly work to do well for the benefit of the group, and they feel good when they are successful.

4. Use of GED test taking strategies. Just as you carefully choose the lesson for your students, you should pick games that develop useful test-taking skills. For example, a scavenger hunt might help students develop their detective skills while they use clues to find items around the room.

5. Laughter. Many studies have proven that people learn better when they laugh. Try playing a game at the start of every class to get students excited, and they will be more likely to soak in the information you present later.

6. Collaboration. Students must work together to be successful when playing a game, and this type of collaboration will carry over to the classroom and interactions outside of the class. Learners are much more likely to support each other in their studies when they have developed the habit of lifting up others through team games.

7. Operant Conditioning. Did you know that you can change your students’ psychology through gaming? Rewarding correct answers with praise and ultimately winning a game creates a new habit of success. Students begin to crave achievement because they have been conditioned to develop their desire to succeed.

8. Failure. Games can help students learn to handle occasional failure. If you are a seasoned GED teacher, you know that students won’t always get answers correct. When they aren’t successful, they need to learn to move on and try again. Gaming can teach this important life lesson.

9. Communication. Teammates need to communicate effectively with one another in order to win over their rivals. These communication skills will come in handy in life and on the GED test. It may even help their personal relationships.

10. Leadership. Even if you don’t assign a team lead, one is most likely to develop. The leader of each group then utilizes their intrinsic coaching talent to lead their team to victory.

These are just a few of the beautiful outcomes that can come from adding games to your classroom instruction. Break out of the mundane and have your students learn through play.

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You may also check out my TPT store where you will find several hands-on activities to use with your students. Just click on the link below.