Games as a Way to Help All Students Succeed

 Imagine a student solving problems, one after another, each problem challenging enough to be interesting but not so challenging that the student is discouraged. The problems are sequenced carefully to enable the student to solve each of them.  Enjoying success again and again, the student learns to expect it, gets addicted to it, and is willing to work harder and longer to achieve it. 

Being used to solving problems seems to be an important characteristic of successful learning. In the process described above, the student learns and practices problem solving strategies, both general and topic-specific. The student develops stamina and becomes resourceful. These are character traits that are useful—not only for learning mathematics, even not only for learning. 

Of course, when we move from one imaginary student to a class of many real students we are faced with questions:

• Could a math problem, even “difficult enough but not too difficult,” be interesting for every student? 

• All students learn differently, with their own pace and style. Moving ahead too fast can confuse and discourage, progressing too slowly can bore. Is it possible to have all the students learn in a way that works best for each of them?

Online games can be an answer to both questions above. First, their content can raise an initial interest in students if it is funny and engaging. And second, by providing instant constructive feedback and dynamic difficulty adjustment, online games allow students to progress in a highly individualized way. Playing round after round in a game seems to be similar to solving successfully one problem after another.  

Are there any caveats? Comment and tell us what you think!