Teaching with Games

Game-Based Learning

Game-based learning (GBL) is an innovative strategy used in medical education that puts a fun twist on both teaching and learning. Using games and gaming elements to teach can facilitate interaction, engagement and immersion. There are multiples types of game-based education strategies, including:

Gamification

Using game design elements in educational activities. Learners work for extrinsic rewards (e.g. points, rewards systems, badges, levels).

Serious Games

Games created to teach specific learning objects. Learners are intrinsically motivated by the challenges of the game.

Simulation Games

Games that simulate a learning experience in a low risk environment.

Escape Rooms

Multiple medical education-based puzzles are solved to "escape" a situation, solve cases or conquer a mission.

Gamification Resources

Click the links below to access platforms that allow incorporation of gamification into learning activities.

Kahoot

Nearpod

Edapp

Quizlet

Gamification

Playing games is fun! It turns out it can be an effective teaching strategy as well. By using game principles and design to teach, you can motivate and engage learners in new ways. Below are links to websites that you can use to work some gaming strategies into your didactics, including morse code, crossword, QR code generators, and tinyurl generators.

Meridian Outpost - Convert text to Morse code

Discovery Education Puzzle Maker

Serious Games

Below are links to serious games that can be used for medical education. Some cost $$ and some are free. Included below are ideas for how to create serious games, just plug in your own teaching objectives and content.

Brain Architecture

Life Course Game

DBP Building Blocks

Specialty: general pediatrics, developmental-behavioral pediatrics

Teach players how to observe social communication skills and other behaviors while playing “Jenga”. Players follow the usual rules of Jenga but, for each turn, they ask each other questions to elicit certain behaviors that are typically observed during a DBP clinical evaluation. Those watching the game make behavioral observations while pretending to do other tasks. Simulates making behavioral observations during a patient visit. Contact katie.larmand@gmail.com for instructions/gamekit.

Name That Disorder (DIY)

Specialty: all

Based on “Name that Tune”. The goal is to name a disorder or syndrome with the fewest number of signs/symptoms given. For many disorders with overlapping symptoms, players could build broad differential lists, slowly homing in on a particular disorder. Can demonstrate how many disorders have overlapping features and distinguishing characteristics that can help differentiate a diagnosis. From Pitt, M. B., Borman-Shoap, E. C., & Eppich, W. J. (2015). Twelve tips for maximizing the effectiveness of game-based learning. Medical Teacher, 37(11), 1013–1017. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2015.1020289

Around the Room in 80 Seconds (DIY)

Specialty: all

After answering a quiz type question, the player adds something they know about the topic, each player then adds to that until the facilitator feels major teaching points have been sufficiently covered (timed or untimed). Encourages facilitator mediated peer-to-peer teaching. From Pitt, M. B., Borman-Shoap, E. C., & Eppich, W. J. (2015). Twelve tips for maximizing the effectiveness of game-based learning. Medical Teacher, 37(11), 1013–1017. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2015.1020289

"Chutes and Ladders" (DIY)

Developmental Milestones Charades (DIY)

The following are some great games on which to base serious games for medical education

Charades
Life
Taboo
Family Feud
Cranium

Headbands
Trivial Pursuit
Scavenger Hunts
Apples to Apples

Simulation Games

Below are a variety of links to simulation games. Simulation games can come in a variety of formats including web-based, in - person and virtual reality (VR)

Poverty Simulator

Spent

Escape Rooms

In general escape rooms have a theme (e.g. a case, clinic, or shift). Solving puzzles leads to codes that then lead to more puzzles or the end of the game in which you overcome a challenge. Escape rooms are fun, but time intensive to create and work through. Remember that you can always use individual components of an escape room to quickly teach on the fly (e.g. crossword puzzles, word searches, jigsaw puzzles). Below resources that can be used to build your own escape room.

Crossword Puzzle Generator

Good puzzles/challenges to use in medical escape rooms

Matching games

Word searches

Crossword puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles

Procedure simulations (e.g. IV placement, intubation)

Tips for Game-Based Learning

Adapted from Pitt, M. B., Borman-Shoap, E. C., & Eppich, W. J. (2015). Twelve tips for maximizing the effectiveness of game-based learning. Medical Teacher, 37(11), 1013–1017. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2015.1020289

Make Memories

Unique experiences make memories. Educational games can create an enjoyable experience while learning.

No-Stress Competition

If a game is competitive, think of ways to make it less stressful. Encourage a supportive, non-threatening environment. Guesses and incorrect answers should be used as an opportunity for discussion. Encourage group play – raising a clock rather than each other.

Use What's Out There

There are lots of games concepts that can be applied to medical education. Cut down on game learning time by using games that are well known.

Use What's Out There

While creating an educational game, it’s important to make objectives that align with the objectives of your overall workshop/ curriculum. Share your objectives with the learners.

Feedback/Debrief

Debriefing is one of the most important parts of playing medical education games. You want to make sure you are not just playing, but using the game as a platform to start discussion, review objectives and bring home teaching points.

Resources

Articles

1) Pitt, M. B., Borman-Shoap, E. C., & Eppich, W. J. (2015). Twelve tips for maximizing the effectiveness of game-based learning. Medical Teacher, 37(11), 1013–1017. https://doi.org/10.3109/0142159X.2015.1020289

2) Shah, A. S., Pitt, M., & Norton, L. (2023). ESCAPE the Boring Lecture: Tips and Tricks on Building Puzzles for Medical Education Escape Rooms. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23821205231211200

3) Edwards, S., Gantwerker, E., Cosmini, M., Christy, A., Kaur, A., Helms, A., Stiver, M., London, Z. (2023) Game-Based Learning in Neuroscience: Key Terminology, Literature Survey, and How To Guide to Create a Serious Game. Neurology Education, 2 (4). https://doi.org/10.1212/NE9.0000000000200103

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