To connect with students coming of age in a fully digital age, educators must keep pace with rapid technological advancements and engage students with their academic goals. In turn, learning games and simulations are gaining prominence as powerful tools in instructional design.
From enhanced analytical thinking to improved test scores and engagement, the benefits of incorporating games and simulations into education are multifaceted and far-reaching. Programs like the online Master of Science in Education (MSEd) in Instructional Technology with a Specialization in Educational Technology program from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) prepare educators to harness the full potential of these technologies.
Benefits and Applications of Interactive Learning Games
Learning games and simulations provide immersive experiences that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, according to Educationise. These tools encourage active learning and critical thinking by placing students in decision-making roles. Students are not passive recipients of information. Instead, they actively engage with course material in dynamic and meaningful ways.
Simulations allow students to experiment with real-world scenarios in a risk-free environment. According to a white paper from Smithsonian Science and Technology Concepts (STC), simulations help students build problem-solving skills by enabling them to test hypotheses, make decisions and analyze outcomes. This experiential learning approach fosters a deeper understanding of course content and equips students with skills transferable to real-world contexts.
Smithsonian STC points to several digital simulations it offers to grade-school students, including its Light Up the Cave simulation for first graders. Students use a module called “How Can We Light Our Way in the Dark?” to investigate how light changes a dark environment, teaching them concepts like beams of light, shadows and reflectivity. This approach is constructive for concepts that are difficult for students to experience in real life because the phenomenon is too small, big, far away or dangerous for a classroom environment.
Moreover, gamified learning strategies are particularly effective at sustaining student interest. Several platforms offer tools for creating gamified lessons, leveraging game mechanics like points, badges and leaderboards to motivate students. Educationise highlights Classcraft, which turns students into the heroes of epic quests as they complete coursework, as an example of what is possible with gamification.
These features transform routine learning activities into engaging challenges, increasing student participation and knowledge retention. As professor Lilian Ajayi-Ore observes in Harvard Business Publishing, the transformation that occurs when students engage with simulations is profound — they perform better, think more analytically and embrace their roles as decision-makers in the learning process.
How Instructional Technology Specialists Can Use Online Learning Games
Instructional technology specialists are pivotal in training educators to use these tools effectively. Successfully integrating games and simulations requires not only technological proficiency but also a clear understanding of educational principles, according to an article from the International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education. Specialists must ensure these tools align with learning objectives and provide meaningful assessments to track student progress.
Educators and technology specialists should do their homework before bringing a simulation or learning game into the classroom, Ajayi-Ore writes. Teachers should play through the exercises and study the teaching notes from the game developers so they can personalize the material to their students.
Depending on the aptitude and age of students, Ajayi-Ore recommends group projects with no more than four members so they can navigate the exercises collaboratively. Educators should also consider student feedback on the learning game or simulation upon completion, asking students how it helped them understand a concept — and the ways it did not.
As part of SIUE’s online MSEd, Instructional Technology – Educational Technology program, students gain experience with games, simulations and strategies for student learning in the Games and Simulations course. The course highlights the development of new games and simulations to strengthen student knowledge and how to utilize existing tools to boost student engagement. Through this hands-on experience, graduates understand how to create interactive learning experiences that cater to diverse educational needs.
Develop EdTech Skills With an Online Master’s Degree in Educational Technology From SIUE
SIUE’s online MSEd, Instructional Technology – Educational Technology program equips educators with the knowledge and skills to design innovative learning experiences. This program prepares educators to advance their careers in roles such as technology coordinators, instructional technologists and educational technology directors.
Regardless of the positions they pursue, graduates have the tools to contribute to the future of digital education. They are equipped to act as transformational educators who improve student outcomes by creating enjoyable and relevant interventions for all students.
