Video Games as a Bridge Between Learning and Student Interests

Students today grow up with games and digital environments. When teachers bring these same elements into instruction, learning becomes more relatable and engaging. Common mechanics in video games, such as strategy, teamwork, problem-solving, and exploration translate naturally into classroom skills.

Games build a pathway between what students enjoy and what they need to learn. This improves engagement, helps teachers understand learning preferences and supports blended learning.

The Power of Gaming in Education

Once considered a distraction, gaming is now recognized as a vehicle for engagement and learning. Gaming is also universal. Studies show:

• 73% of children play video games

• 97% of teenagers play video games

• Girls who game are 3.3 times more likely to explore STEM subjects

• Teen gamers are 70% more likely to choose a STEM major

Teachers who have incorporated games into their lessons show that games increase the likelihood of students being more motivated to learn and show greater willingness to work with peers and engage in problem-solving. Gaming connects interest to future readiness in a way traditional methods cannot. Research shows that when technology is used in education:

• 51 percent higher motivation to learn

• 30 percent higher transfer of knowledge to real tasks

• 23 percent increase in ownership of learning

Games provide instant feedback, adaptive difficulty, and opportunities for experimentation. This supports personalized instruction and increases student confidence.

A year long study have also shown that schools who have used esports and video games as part of their programs show a rapid decline in average absences, which led to recapturing more than $20,000 ADA funds.

A Real Example of Gaming in Education

Madison Consolidated Schools in Indiana integrated gaming into an esports elective and after-school program. Students who struggled with attendance and behavior became more motivated and consistent.

A student described the change:

“I used to be the class clown, always getting in trouble and sent to the principal’s office almost every day. Since Gameplan, I’ve been able to bring up my grades and stay out of trouble.” - Floyd Davis, 8th grade

Madison now uses gaming to introduce students to technical and creative career pathways, making the program part of a broader CTE strategy.

Video Games Help with Focus in School

Certain video games improve attention, focus, and concentration when used in education. Many games' fast-paced, detail-oriented nature requires players to maintain high levels of attention, which translates into better focus during academic tasks.

Gaming in education can take various forms, from using gamified platforms for lesson delivery to incorporating game design principles into curricular activities. Games provide immediate feedback, allowing students to understand the consequences of their decisions and adapt their strategies accordingly. Let’s see how video games can do all of these:

Watch: 5 Best Practices for Game-Based Teaching

To help teachers use gaming as an engagement tool, Gameplan’s Chris Aviles shares five practical methods for game-based teaching. Watch it below!

Gaming Curriculums for Education

Using video games in the classroom does not require using “educational games.” The key is matching the game with a clear instructional purpose. With structure, any game can support learning.

Video games can be integrated into the curriculum in many ways:

• CTE programs and pathways

• Electives and enrichment rotations

• ELA & Math extensions

• Summer school programming

• After-school programs and esports clubs

• Support structures for ESE and at-risk students

Because a gaming curriculum is modular and project-based, it fits naturally into existing schedules and works across different instructional models. You can start with a single esports club, or support teachers with PD to confidently use games to drive academic results in classrooms and start scaling from there.

Gaming Curriculums That Schools Commonly Adopt

Schools can use comprehensive, ready-made esports and gaming courses to support both game-based learning and CTE goals. Examples include:

• Careers in Gaming: Broad exposure to game design, content creation, and digital forensics while building 21st-century skills.

• Careers in Esports: Event planning, branding, broadcasting, and technical production using real industry tools.

• Game Design Fundamentals (Unreal Engine): Workforce-aligned game design and 3D development that leads to an Unreal Engine credential.

• Media Production Fundamentals: Scripting, filming, and editing content, building skills used in esports broadcasts and media careers.

• Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Digital safety, ethical hacking, and foundational security concepts tied to industry certifications.

Video Games and Special Education

Video games are really useful in Special Education because they grab students' attention and make learning more fun and engaging. They help reduce stress and make kids feel more involved and included.

Recent studies have revealed significant benefits of action video games for children with dyslexia, demonstrating notable improvements in reading abilities. 

In the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), video games have shown effectiveness in reducing inappropriate behavior and enhancing play skills and social engagement among children (1). These improvements extend to new game contexts, indicating the intervention's capacity to foster natural, unprompted social interactions and maintain these effects over time.

Furthermore, more research underscores the positive impact of computer games in enhancing impulse control and attention in children with ADHD, boosting motivation and performance, suggesting that gaming is a vital tool in sustaining concentration and impulsive behavior in these children.

Experts (1,2) also say that technology helps students with disabilities interact better and have the same chances to join in activities as everyone else. Plus, these games are a terrific way for kids with special needs to practice everyday skills, solve problems, and get ready to mix more easily with others. (3, 4)

Overall, video games offer substantial advantages in educational settings, particularly for children with special needs. They not only aid in improving communication and spatial skills but also cater to the unique needs of children with physical, sensory, and visual impairments, as well as those with ADHD, enhancing memory function and overall learning engagement. This evidence positions digital games as a valuable resource for educators seeking to support diverse learning needs in their classrooms.

Leveling Up Education with Gaming Curriculums

Gaming connects instruction to student interests, builds engagement, and supports real-world skills.
Whether through curriculum, esports programs, or classroom activities, games help students communicate, think critically, and participate more fully in learning.

If you want support integrating gaming into your school, schedule a meeting with us here and learn more.