LibGuides: EDU 3320: Science for Elementary School Teachers: Games & Gamification in Education

The Difference Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning

Gamification is the concept of incorporating game elements into a non-game context. Whereas game-based learning relates to the use of games to enhance the learning experience.

The Difference Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning
Have you considered gamifying your classroom? Do you incorporate game-based learning into your curriculum? Gamification and game-based learning have become buzzwords in education, yet some general confusion still exists regarding what each is and what each is not.This article clears up common misconceptions.

Gameful Pedagogy

Gameful Learning
Gameful learning is a pedagogical approach that takes inspiration from how good games function, and applies that to the design of learning environments. The site is a resource for educators who want to design more motivating, student-centered courses. It offers ideas, research, and practical strategies for implementing gameful pedagogy.

ABCYa
"ABCya provides over 300 fun and educational games for grades PreK through 6." The activities "are designed by parents and educators, who understand that children learn better if they are having fun." Games are categorized by grade and subject. To use, you need to create an account.
Education.com | Educational Games for Kids
This website contains many different activities for kids, such as worksheets, games, activities,
workbooks, exercises, stories and songs. There are also lesson plans for teachers. On the games page, there are more than 800 educational games in different topics from preschool to 8th grade.
Education.com | Educational Games for Kids
This website contains many different activities for kids, such as worksheets, games, activities,
workbooks, exercises, stories and songs. There are also lesson plans for teachers. On the games page, there are more than 800 educational games in different topics from preschool to 8th grade.
Funbrain
Created for kids in grades Pre-K through 8, "Funbrain.com has been the leader in free educational games for kids since 1997. Funbrain offers hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving and literacy."
Jeopardy Labs
"JeopardyLabs allows you to create a customized jeopardy template without PowerPoint. The games you make can be played online from anywhere in the world. Building your own jeopardy template is easy." You can also browse other jeopardy templates created by other people.
Kahoot!
Whether you’re teaching, presenting, or having fun with family and friends, Kahoot! makes it easy to create and share interactive experiences.
Legends of Learning
Over 2,000, curriculum-aligned, science, history & math games created to engage students, assist teachers & empower districts in class and at home.
PBS Kids Games
"PBS KIDS is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children through curriculum-based entertainment." There are games on many subjects on this page, including music, math, nature, healthy habits, dinosaurs, science, social studies, reading, measurement, and more! Many of the games are based on TV shows on PBS.
RoomRecess.com
"RoomRecess.com is dedicated to providing children with free learning games that are fun.... RoomRecess.com was developed entirely by an elementary school teacher with the goal of reinforcing fundamental learning concepts in math, reading, spelling, language arts, and basic problem solving."
Starfall
"Starfall was developed in the classroom by teachers and opened in August 2002 as a free public service to teach children to read. Since then it has expanded to include standards in language arts and mathematics for preschool through fifth grade and above."

American Museum of Natural History | Ology Games
Over 2,000, curriculum-aligned, science, history & math games created to engage students, assist teachers & empower districts in class and at home.
Coolmath Games | Science
Coolmath contains free online science games in physics, gravity, magnetism and electricity! "Science games are great ways to build your foundational science skills while having a blast at the same time!"
The Human Body for Kids
"TurtleDiary.com has created a variety of human body games for kids that are tailored to each grade-level. Each activity is age appropriate and teaches valuable lessons, such as personal hygiene."
NASA Kids Science
Contains games, activities, and videos on Earth and space science.
NASA Science | Space Place
"Launched in 1998, NASA Space Place's mission is to inspire and enrich upper-elementary-aged kids' learning of space and Earth science online through fun games, hands-on activities, informative articles and engaging short videos."
PBS Kids | Science Games
Science games from PBS Kids.
Physics and Science Games for Kids
From Calculators.org, "all physic(s) puzzle games in our free online arcade offer immediate online play without requiring login or any app installation."
Science Museum | Games and Apps
The Science Museum is located in London, England and on this website are science games for students to engage in.
SciGames
Created by the Space Science Institute, these games cover Artemis, astrobiology, physics, planets, the sun, and weather.
Sheppard Software-Free Science Games
This website contains free science games in the following topics: animals, environments, dinosaurs, anatomy, digestive system, skeletal system, nutrition, life cycles, plant cell, animal cell, bacteria cell, deep sea creatures, the food chain, the seasons, animal diet, animal characteristics and classification, chemistry, the elements, animal movies and many more free science games for kids!
Smithsonian Science Education Center | Game Center
Free Smithsonian STEM games and simulations online or for download. The games are designed with clear learning objectives, vetted by our team of curriculum experts.

EDU 3320: Science for Elementary School Teachers

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The Difference Between Gamification and Game-Based Learning

Gameful Pedagogy

Learning Games