This is the 5th post in the Personalized Learning Series.

Game Based Learning is a great way to engage Library Learners and to personalize learning. It is an incredible amount of FUN to use games in Library Media. To me, Game Based Learning is different from Gamification.

Game Based Learning is using games to teach, practice, review, or assess learning. Games can be used whole group, small group, or as Academic Choice. Gamification is creating a game like environment for students to engage in the learning process.

There are a lot of FREE game based tools available. The one that I like using with my Library Learners have a database that you can search for pre-made games and allow you to create your own. The game-based tools that my students and I love, include:

• Kahoot ~ This is a great competition based game where students can work individually or in teams to answer questions.
• Jeopardy Labs ~ Create your own Jeopardy games! While a lot of students need support with how to play the game, they have an incredible amount of fun!
• BreakoutEdu ~ Breakouts are like academic escape rooms, or what I lovingly call “Saw without all the blood and gore.” Students work together to solve clues to unlock locks and ‘breakout’ of, or open, the box.
• Goosechase ~ This is a great way to engage students in scavenger hunts! The very first Goosechase I created was for my spring book fair.
• Classcraft Boss Battles ~ These are a fun, team-based way to review content with your class!

Just playing games isn’t gamification or personalized learning. However…games can be personalized.

Provide students with an option of which Nearpod or BreakoutEdu they participate in. My amazing Library Media colleague puts BreakoutEdu clues and locks out as a choice for students to solve during circulation. This is a great way for students to engage in Academic Choice.

Create open-ended scavenger hunts with Goosechase. The Bookfair Goosechase I created for my students is open-ended. The challenges are phrased in such a way that there are no wrong answers. Each Library Learner can respond to the challenge with a book that interests them. Interest based learning is personalized learning!

Jeopardy Labs, Kahoot, and Classcraft Boss Battles aren’t exactly Academic Choice lessons, but they are engaging! Being able to answer questions as part of a team is a lot of fun for most students. Just know that some students can shy away from these types of competition games because they either don’t like competition, the level of energy that can come out of games like this, or fear making mistakes in front of others. Keeping these games as low key and low risk as possible, keeps them engaging for all.

What are some game based tools and applications that you use to engage and personalize learning for students? Share below!

Next time, I’ll share more about Gamification!