Games in class: are they fundamental or damaging? It’s really quite simple…it’s both! There’s a big stigma around playing games in class, but that can change if we understand what the ideal, correct way of playing and having fun in class would be.

A main problem many have with students playing games in class that how frequent gaming  can be addictive, and teachers are apprehensive about the possibility of a resulting decrease in academic performance. It’s also important for people to know that digital games aren’t the right kind of “gaming” that can be beneficial for students. Tenney School suggests that “children having too much screen time can lead to problems. For example, for middle schoolers, too much screen time can lead to oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorders. Moreover, watching excessive amounts of YouTube or playing too many video games can increase the risk of students developing OCD.” This is where we’re getting it wrong; digital games in class aren’t helpful or productive for students, because it’s the physical aspect of playing games that can truly have a positive effect. Actually getting students up and eager to learn something can be impactful on classroom morale and happiness, rather than just putting a screen or paper in front of their face with instructions on it. My time in journalism class has showed that to be true. We have dedicated time on Fridays to have the last few minutes as free/game time, and in my government class, we do physical simulations of elections and courts. This kind of activity helps students in class, like how an article from TeachStater says that “using different instructional approaches in the classroom, such as playing games, enables students to encounter the content in various ways, making it easier for them to pay attention after the activity has ended.”

In journalism class, we put it to the test and had time in class to play games, and later reflected on its benefits. When asking other students how the downtime in class helped them, Katie Leonardo said, “it really helps take off pressure from the rest of the week, and being able to have those few minutes to hang out and just have fun really helps with my energy and mood for the rest of the day.”

When I asked Shelynne Canares how the physical simulations in government class have helped her learning, she explained how “being able to literally act out how bills are passed and laws are made makes it so much easier to understand.” Games in class can be the most fundamental method of learning for students, as long as you do it the correct way. Although, it’s important that teachers don’t just let them play some digital game or digital simulation for an assignment, have them stand up and actually talk and interact with one another, not only is that teaching them the subject at hand, but also teaching them human interaction and better ways to engage.